North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Transport, Oliver Krischer, is advocating for the federal government to allocate a portion of the substantial €500 billion infrastructure package to waterways within the state. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, Krischer highlighted the age and inadequacy of existing infrastructure, stating that some locks date back to a period when Germany was still under imperial rule.
He emphasized the need for upgrades, specifically citing the requirement to raise several bridges to accommodate modern shipping traffic. Krischer underscored that responsibility for waterways infrastructure lies with the federal government and therefore, it must prioritize their maintenance and improvement.
A recent assessment within North Rhine-Westphalia indicates an investment need of €1.7 billion for waterways over the next six years. Krischer expressed concern that this critical area has been overlooked within the allocation of the special-purpose fund. While acknowledging the importance of investments in road and rail networks, he stressed the continued significance of inland waterways and their potential for future transportation needs.
