- Deceitful plans continue with the shutdown of the A39 highway between Lüneburg and Wolfsburg.
The Department of Transport in Hannover is aggressively pursuing the construction of the A39, stretching from Lüneburg to Wolfsburg. The commencement of excavation around Ehra, within the Gifhorn district, is now imminent, as the oversight body for road construction and traffic has allocated the necessary financial backing for both state and federal highways, as per a communique from the department. Construction is projected to commence in the spring of 2025.
"We are giving it our all to promptly execute this crucial infrastructure undertaking as part of the A39 gap closing," stated Transport Minister Olaf Lies (SPD). The necessary funds will be made available to enable Autobahn GmbH to issue construction bids this year.
In 2019, construction plans for the southern section hit a roadblock with the Federal Administrative Court's intervention. The recent approval decision for the Gifhorn district section of the A39 has been made public. This decision guarantees that no polluted runoff from the highway surfaces seeps into the groundwater in section 7, spanning from Weyhausen to Ehra (14.2 kilometers). The forthcoming A39 segment, with an estimated cost of over 200 million euros, encompasses the on-ramps at Weyhausen and Ehra-Lessien, together with the "Tappenbecker Moor" service station.
However, due to potential legal challenges by environmental organizations against the plans, the ministry has temporarily halted the enforcement of the highway section until a specific construction commencement date is established. Consequently, no emergency procedures are currently placed in motion, the ministry spokesman confirmed. Lies intimated that he would continue to maintain dialogue with the environmental association BUND: "Certainly, we would have wished to reach an accord without resorting to litigation."
Moreover, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) has recently endorsed the new A39 segment. The motorway facilitates an optimal connection between the Lüneburg and Wolfsburg regions, enhancing the hinterland connection to the North German ports. Autobahn GmbH possesses the legal prerogative to devise and execute the approximately 106-kilometer new construction. The overall budget stands at approximately 1.69 billion euros (as of 2023).
The northern stretch of the A39 originates in Hamburg and concludes in Lüneburg, while the southern stretch runs from Wolfsburg via Braunschweig to Salzgitter. Commuters are excited about a viable link, while environmentalists remain adamantly opposed.
The construction of the A39 from Lüneburg to Wolfsburg is expected to significantly improve the hinterland connection to the North German ports, as acknowledged by Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP). Despite the temporary halt due to potential legal challenges by environmental organizations, the construction bids for the forthcoming segment are expected to be issued this year, allowing Autobahn GmbH to commence the project in spring 2025.
