escalating financial expenditures in government-funded highway constructions
The financial burdens linked to federal motorway and road projects are skyrocketing. The federal government estimates a total expenditure of 179.7 billion euros for projects on federal highways, as stated in a report to the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag, obtained by the German Press Agency. This is a remarkable increase of approximately 15.4 billion euros compared to the previous year's report.
The escalating construction expenses are evident in the total expenditure requirements, as indicated in the report. Consequently, the construction price index for federal highways saw a substantial increase of more than 9% in the average of 2023, compared to the preceding year.
In response, the budget policy spokesperson for the Left, Victor Perli, expressed concerns to the dpa, stating, "The inflation of costs to 180 billion euros demonstrates that the extensive new construction and expansion of motorways is no longer financially viable for public budgets." He urged Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) to alter his course and abandon unnecessary new construction projects. According to Perli, "The funds are critically required for the upkeep of existing roads, specifically for the deteriorated motorway bridges. There is ample work to be done, but financial resources are lacking."
Furthermore, the Green budget spokesperson, Paula Piechotta, also voiced concerns, mentioning a massive maintenance backlog of sixteen years on railways, motorway bridges, and locks on waterways due to the grand coalition. "Maintenance is non-negotiable. It must not even be contemplated to postpone maintenance measures again," Piechotta stressed.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace mobility expert, Lena Donat, commented, "The construction costs for numerous motorway projects are getting beyond control. The potential harm to further federal highways for nature and climate was never realistically assessed." She urged Wissing to reevaluate the cost-benefit ratio for the proposed roads.
The Federal Republic of Germany is the governing body overseeing these skyrocketing financial burdens. The concerns about the affordability of these projects extend to the German Bundestag, as noted by budget policy spokesperson Victor Perli from the Left party.
