The wave of inflation does not stop at major road construction projects. As the OÖN exclusively reported yesterday, the Linz Westring will also be significantly more expensive than previously calculated. According to Asfinag, the first construction phase will cost around 295 million euros instead of 260 million euros: a price increase of 13 percent. The main reason is increased material costs. This also means additional costs for the state of Upper Austria and the city of Linz. According to the financing contract, they bear ten or five percent of the project costs.
Infrastructure Councilor Günther Steinkellner (FP) is behind the project despite the additional costs: The A26 is one of the most important projects to improve the traffic situation in Linz, he said in a broadcast yesterday. At 13 percent, the price increase measured against the construction cost index was actually relatively small, says Steinkellner and praises Asfinag’s “good construction management”.
Deputy Mayor and Transport Officer Martin Hajart (VP) also states that it is “unrealistic to move away from a project that is already being implemented”. Deputy Mayor and Finance Officer Tina Blöchl (SP) says the state capital will “develop a budgetary coping strategy” for the higher costs.
The Linz Greens, on the other hand, are demanding that the city should withdraw from the financing contract for the A26. The Westring is a “Stone Age project”, a “grave of millions” and “a bottomless pit”, said club chairman Helge Langer in a broadcast.
Source: Nachrichten
