Road traffic: Financial gap in motorways – Bridge renovations in danger?

A financial gap in the federal highway company could have significant consequences for drivers. The urgently needed bridge modernization and the route conservation are at risk in a letter from the management of Autobahn GmbH to the chairman of the supervisory board Stefan Schnorr, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport. The German press agency has the letter. The overall works council of Autobahn GmbH warned, without a binding and long -term financing commitment, threatens an investment backlog.

A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Transport said that in a close exchange with the Federal Ministry of Finance, it was very quick for the highway – via the budget committee – to release the means to meet the “most pressing needs”. “We are confident that we will get good solutions very promptly.”

A spokesman for Autobahn GmbH said that the safe operation of the highways was currently guaranteed. “In order for this to stay that way, considerable investments must be made for the future.”

The background to the current financial gap is that the federal budget in 2025 has not yet been decided. This is planned for September. A so -called preliminary housekeeping has been in effect since January, which makes new projects difficult. The letter from the management states that Autobahn GmbH would have to be made available to Autobahn GmbH as soon as possible so that they could still be invested in 2025.

Fresh funds needed

Autobahn GmbH had imposed an immediate stop for the tender for 2025 more than a week ago. Autobahn GmbH has no additional funds before the Federal Budget came into force. The GmbH is responsible for planning, construction and operation of the highways. One focus is on the renovation of the many dilapidated bridges in Germany. That costs billions.

The letter of the management of July 7 states that a close purpose binding of the special fund in conjunction with the shift of household funds in the special fund means that the sum for bridge moderation in 2025 cannot be fully underlaid with projects. In fact, a reduction in investing budget of around 600 million euros compared to the cabinet design.

This has an impact on the use of funds in 2025, it continues. All available investment means are bound by ongoing construction work. An intervention in ongoing construction measures will be “probably”. The letter also states that the safe operation of the highways is endangered by too little money in the so -called invoice group 1. This is central to planning services and staff.

Ministry: No construction stop

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Transport said that ongoing projects and ongoing awards, as well as measures that served to ensure traffic safety, would continue to “of course”. This also applies to ongoing tenders for the renovations of bridges. “There is also no construction stop.”

A spokesman for Autobahn GmbH said that the Ringbahnbrücke and the Westend Bridge in Berlin were financed.

The overall works council takes note of the tender stop with great concern, according to the letter to Schnieder dated July 15, which is available to the dpa. “Long-term construction projects not only require technical know-how, but above all a stable and permanent financing basis for which everyone involved can rely without restrictions.” The workforce experiences how political and budgetary framework conditions slow down their work. “This uncertainty leads to frustration, affects motivation and endangers the preservation of specialist knowledge and jobs in the long term.”

The Federal Ministry of Finance had stated that funds could also be made available during the current provisional housekeeping.

Warning of delays

German unit Fernstraßenplanungs- und -Bau GmbH (Deges) warned in a letter to Autobahn GmbH because of a financing gap of 670 million euros this year before construction stops for projects. The primary goal of the Deges will be to achieve extension or interruption of measures in coordination with the contractors concerned. The “Bild” newspaper had previously reported about it.

“Loss of time and additional costs due to extension of construction time as well as interest and compensation claims are inevitable,” it continues. No more awards are possible.