When the M3 line opens later this year, 17 underground stations will connect Østerbro, Nørrebro, Frederiksberg, Vesterbro and the city centre. Above ground, the capital's new metro line will also have created changes in the urban space when the station squares open with new planting and paving, benches, fountains and much more.

At Rådhuspladsen, the cycle path was inaugurated today, and cyclists could for the first time whizz through the green grove of 49 newly planted deciduous trees that replaces the bus stop at the end of Rådhuspladsen. Here, the city's cyclists will now be guided along a wide, bi-directional cycle path that winds across the square near the main entrance to the future metro station.

‘Many of us have been looking forward to getting the city back after years of metro construction. When the M3 line opens, it will connect the city in a whole new way and make it even easier to leave the car behind. At the same time, we will recreate the city's many fine and historic squares that have been hidden away behind construction site fences,’ says the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen (S), who together with Mayor of Technology and Environment Ninna Hedeager officiated at the inauguration of the new cycle path.

The City of Copenhagen has decided that the urban spaces around the future metro stations will be recreated largely as they were before the metro construction began. In several places, however, the municipalities have decided to plant more trees or otherwise improve the 17 station squares to open up new and greener areas for the benefit and enjoyment of the city's citizens and many visitors.

‘It is a great pleasure to be able to give Rådhuspladsen back to the people of Copenhagen with a much greener look than it had before the M3 line was built. The bus stop is now a thing of the past and has been replaced by a small, green breathing space in the very centre of the city with almost three times as many trees as before. Elsewhere in the city, urban spaces will also look different than before. This includes Skjolds Plads and Copenhagen Central Station, where the former roads have been eliminated in favour of new car-free and green spaces that Copenhageners and tourists can enjoy,’ says Ninna Hedeager (Ø), Mayor of Copenhagen Central Station, in connection with the inauguration of the cycle path.

The newly planted trees at Rådhuspladsen are robinia, Norway maple, Japanese rowan, water fir and red horse chestnut. In addition to the trees and the historic Copenhagen benches, Rådhuspladsen will be equipped with stairs and lifts down to the future underground metro station. The entrance to the station will be located at the end of Strøget, and there will also be a small staircase towards H.C. Andersens Boulevard.

Until the M3 line opens, parts of Rådhuspladsen will continue to be characterised by construction activity in connection with the design of the station square.