Massive financial shortfall jeopardizes construction on Germany's federal highway system
The Federal Ministry of Transport's latest planning paper has raised concerns among transport politicians, with Martin Kröber, the Magdeburg SPD federal MP and transport expert of the SPD faction, calling for immediate intervention. The document, which has yet to be addressed or resolved by the involved parties, has highlighted a potential financial shortfall of 169 million euros for the maintenance of federal highways in Saxony-Anhalt.
This shortfall could have significant impacts on the region's transportation network, with three federal highway construction projects at risk of construction stops: the bypass of Bruckdorf on the B6, the bypass of Wittenberg on the B2, and the bypass of Miesterhorst (Altmarkkreis Salzwedel) on the B188.
Lydia Huskens, Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Transport and a member of the FDP, shares Kröber's concerns, despite the federal government's debt-financed infrastructure fund. She is alarmed about the potential infrastructure cuts that could result from this financial shortfall.
The current plan from the Federal Ministry of Transport involves the release of €1.1 billion for renovation measures approved by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag. This includes €391 million for bridge repairs and €709 million for road surface renovations closely related to bridge and tunnel maintenance. These funds are part of an anticipated special fund for infrastructure and climate protection, allowing urgent necessary construction projects to proceed for traffic safety and economic reasons.
However, no construction permits can be issued for these projects based on the current financial planning from the Federal Ministry of Transport. Sepp Müller, deputy chairman of the Union faction from Gräfenhainichen, is facing the challenge of closing these financial gaps and is in close contact with the ministry to find solutions.
Kröber continues to prioritize maintenance and promises to find a solution, while Huskens remains hopeful that the urgent need for investment in Saxony-Anhalt's federal highways will be addressed. The total investment required for the maintenance of existing federal highways in Saxony-Anhalt by 2029 is 419 million euros, a significant sum that underscores the importance of finding a solution to this financial shortfall.
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