Significant Blockage by Ministry of Transport: Key Road Initiatives Haltered
In a surprising turn of events, several transport projects in the state of Baden-Württemberg are facing potential delays due to budgetary constraints. The issue at hand revolves around the flexibility of funds allocated for special assets, according to CDU transport spokesman Thomas Dörflinger.
The affected projects range from the new track between Augsburg and Ulm, the Brenner approach in the Inn valley, the Rhine valley track towards Switzerland, and the new connection between Frankfurt and Mannheim, to name a few. Additionally, key highway expansions like the A8 highway between Mühlhausen and Hohenstadt in the Göppingen district, and the A98 between Rheinfelden and Schwörstadt, are also under threat.
Baden-Württemberg Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) has expressed his confusion over the sudden delay, while highlighting the importance of these transport news. Hermann believes the federal government must correct this issue and ensure that scarce funds are not used for maintenance and preservation, but rather allocated towards crucial expansion projects.
The estimated additional need for the expansion of transport projects nationwide by 2029 is 5.5 billion euros, according to the Federal Ministry of Transport. Despite the planned special fund for infrastructure of 500 billion euros, the transport carriers (road, rail, and waterway) will not be sufficiently financed until 2029, according to the Ministry of Transport's draft for the transport committee.
Markus Söder, the CSU leader and Bavarian Minister-President, has joined the call for a significant increase in the transport budget. The 2026 federal budget allocates a total of €23.72 billion for transport investments, with more than €100 billion planned for rail infrastructure, €52 billion for federal roads, and €8 billion for federal waterways over the legislative period. Significant funding comes from the regular budget and special funds such as the "Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality" special fund, focused on rail network maintenance, digitization, and bridge renovation.
However, the feasibility of these projects depends on the federal budget 2026, which is still in the parliamentary process. Construction permits for these projects can only be issued after the corresponding budget items are increased. If the financial situation in the transport sector remains as it is in the budget 2026 and in the financial planning until 2029, no new construction or expansion of motorways and federal roads will take place due to a lack of funds.
There are 74 planning projects for the expansion and new construction of highways that may be delayed. Construction stops on the railway during this legislative period are also threatened due to a lack of billions of euros. The potential delays in the construction and expansion of several highways in Baden-Württemberg could leave motorways and federal roads in a worse condition than today at the end of this legislative period.
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