No cuts in motorway funding: The supervisory board of the motorway company is calling for sufficient funds for the maintenance and modernization of the road and bridge infrastructure.
The supervisory board of the federally owned Autobahn company has spoken out against cuts in funding for the motorways in Germany. In a statement, the committee said that the federal Autobahn GmbH is facing enormous challenges, particularly in the maintenance and modernization of the road and bridge infrastructure and the functionality of the company.
In view of price increases, a shortage of skilled workers and necessary investments, the Supervisory Board is committed to ensuring that Autobahn GmbH is provided with the necessary financial resources in the 2025 federal budget and the financial planning up to 2028.
The chairman of the supervisory board is Oliver Luksic (FDP), parliamentary state secretary in the Ministry of Transport. The committee also includes members of the Bundestag from the SPD, the FDP, the Greens and the Union.
Around five billion euros are to be cut
According to reports, funding for the federally owned Autobahn GmbH is to be cut by 20 percent to around five billion euros next year compared to previous planning. Negotiations within the federal government about the budget are still ongoing. Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has set savings targets for departments.
The DBB civil service union and tariff union warned of the consequences of cuts. DBB specialist board member Volker Geyer, who is also vice chairman of the Autobahn GmbH supervisory board, said in a statement: “The entire motorway operation is at considerable risk due to the cuts. Cuts would of course have a negative impact on specific construction and renovation projects.” The bridge modernization program favored by Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP), maintenance operations as well as new construction projects would be at risk.
Source: Stern
