The threatened hold in the renovation of bridges in Germany has been averted. The Bundestag budget committee allocated around EUR 1.1 billion to Autobahn GmbH. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport reported that contracts and construction work could be continued.
"We must not waste time spent on transport infrastructure repairs," said Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, in turn, spoke of a good solution, consisting in the fast usage of funds for roads, bridges and tunnels later this year.
Response to suspension
Autobahn GmbH, a associate of the national government, welcomed this solution. Board president Michael Güntner said they would immediately enter the investment: "It's a clear signal from the government that the renovation of road bridges has the highest priority".
In mid-July, the company announced an immediate suspension of tenders for 2025. It was found that no additional funds were available before the entry into force of the national budget. In addition, there have been warnings about crucial delays in bridge renovations, as the planned EUR billion peculiar infrastructure fund cannot yet be transferred.
Both ministries reported that Autobahn GmbH will be able to make full usage of the EUR 2.5 billion planned in the peculiar fund this year for the renovation of bridges and tunnels. The projects include crucial communication axes specified as the A7 or A3 motorways.
In a letter from the Ministry of Finance addressed to the Committee on Budgets, Autobahn GmbH informed the Ministry of Transport of the "drag growth" of the backlog in road repairs and the related serious traffic safety risks.
"Over-planning expenditure"
The measures which have now been approved are alleged over-planned expenditure. According to the ministry, this is about funds for the renovation of bridges and, on the another hand, funds for the renovation of the roadway, which are straight linked to the maintenance work of bridges and tunnels.
"The large efforts of the last days to abolish the suspension of tenders and not to inhibit any transport task in Germany have paid off," said Florian Oßner, associate of the CSU liable for the budget.
Paula Piechott, a associate of the Green Club liable for the budget, said repairs would be possible soon. She accused Klingbeil of wanting to transfer funds to a peculiar fund, which would origin unnecessary delays in urgently needed bridge repairs.
Many bridges in bad condition
The Ministry of Finance's request to the Committee on Budgets stated that this expenditure is intended to carry out urgent work on the construction of bridges and tunnels and the renovation of the roadway.
Autobahn GmbH is liable for the planning, construction and operation of motorways. 1 of the main tasks is the renovation of many bridges in Germany.
The Director-General of the Main Federation of the German Construction Industry, Tim-Oliver Müller, said that thanks to the investment measures granted as a substance of urgency, Autobahn GmbH would be able to proceed crucial projects.
