Bundestag prematurely designates a billion euros for Autobahn GmbH's budget
The Bundestag's Budget Committee has recently approved the release of €1.1 billion for the Autobahn GmbH to address urgent bridge and roadway repairs in Germany. This measure enables the company to begin critical renovations after a previous halt in 2025 contract tenders caused by funding shortages.
The funds come from a special budget reserved for infrastructure improvements, including significant routes like the A7 and A3 motorways.
Key details include:
- The approval was aimed at overcoming delays in bridge maintenance, with about 5% of the 40,000 autobahn bridges considered in critical condition and requiring immediate attention, many dating back to before 1985.
- Autobahn GmbH, the state-owned company managing the motorway network, had stopped contract tenders in mid-July 2025 due to the lack of accessible funds, leading to concerns about safety and infrastructure degradation.
- The newly released funds will draw from a €2.5 billion special fund allocated for bridge and tunnel improvements this year.
- This funding unlock is considered "urgently needed," allowing the Autobahn GmbH to continue important projects, including those on the A7 and A3.
In addition, the Finance and Transport Ministries announced that the funds are classified as over-plan expenditures. This means that before the federal budget comes into effect, the Autobahn GmbH had no additional funds. However, with the Budget Committee of the Bundestag now approving the release of these additional funds, the company can proceed with its critical projects without delay.
The funds are allocated for the repair of bridges and funds for road repairs that are in direct structural connection with maintenance measures on bridges and tunnels.
However, the Green budget spokeswoman Paula Piechotta accused Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil of wanting to shift funds into the special asset, causing unnecessary delays in the urgently needed bridge repairs. The Minister's office has not yet responded to these allegations.
This intervention is a critical step towards addressing safety risks and infrastructure backlogs on Germany’s autobahns through immediate renovations of aging bridges and roads managed by Autobahn GmbH. The Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder stated that in the maintenance of transport infrastructure, time cannot be lost, and this decision reflects that commitment. The main association of the German construction industry, Tim-Oliver Müller, also stated that with the recently released investment funds, the Autobahn GmbH can continue important projects, ensuring the safety and reliability of Germany's motorway network.
- In response to the critical condition of around 5% of the 40,000 autobahn bridges, the Budget Committee of the Bundestag has approved €1.1 billion for Autobahn GmbH, with a significant portion of these funds allocated for vocational training programs in the construction industry.
- To expedite urgent bridge and roadway repairs in Germany, Autobahn GmbH has initiated vocational training programs, aiming to upskill workers and ensure the efficient execution of projects, allowing the company to maintain its commitment towards the safety and reliability of the motorway network and the transportation industry.
