In March of this year, the "100 Cases" project, dedicated to the 920th anniversary of Lutsk, envisages a comprehensive reconstruction of Teatralnyi Maidan. The reconstruction plan includes: arrangement of the facade, the adjacent territory and internal reconstruction of the cathedral; major repairs of the drama theater and the "Prosvita" building; restoration of the monument to Lesya Ukrainka; implementation of a new concept of landscaping and floral decoration; installation of a light-and-music fountain, as well as construction of an underground passage.
The construction of the underground passage is the largest-scale project ever implemented in Lutsk. This idea arose back in the late 1970s and was connected with the general plan of the city's development. However, today there is already a need for the construction of this facility due to the urgent need to reorganize the city's transport infrastructure. Over the past decade alone, private transport in Lutsk has increased 6 times. In addition, Lutsk has a radial-ring structure – all road directions go through the city center. All this worsens the ecology and the state of traffic safety. In 2003, the "Traffic Safety" program began to be implemented in Lutsk. It includes repairs of main roads, widening of streets, introduction of a new route orientation scheme, with the aim of relieving the city center. However, it does not solve the problem of safe pedestrian traffic in the center. It can be fully resolved by means of an underground passage.
This is an extremely complex engineering structure that requires significant financial, material and organizational resources. Part of the preparatory work for construction was already completed several years ago – underground utility networks were relocated. The development of the design documentation for the passage is being completed. It will have 3 exits – to Teatralnyi Maidan, to the central department store and to the Ukraina hotel. The project is being developed in such a way that later it will be possible to extend the passage in the direction of Voli Avenue. The passage also provides for heat and water supply, water drainage and, most importantly, a ventilation system. It is planned to place retail areas, public catering establishments, and public toilets in the passage itself. The construction of the facility is financed by a private entrepreneur. The total cost of the project is about 5 million hryvnias. The contractor is a construction company specializing in the construction of nuclear power plants.
In addition to the project itself, a detailed plan for carrying out the construction work is being developed, since it will require closing traffic (approximately for 3-4 months). New routes for minibuses during the construction period have already been determined. It is somewhat more difficult to do this with trolleybus routes, especially from the directions of the railway station and Sobornosti Avenue. However, the problem can be solved by installing a temporary trolleybus line.
The presented project for the comprehensive reconstruction of the central square of the city is not the final version. The city authorities intend to take into account the proposals and remarks of Lutsk residents.