A planning document outlining ongoing budget negotiations from the Federal Ministry of Transport has triggered concern among transport policymakers in both the national government and the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Reports indicate potential construction halts for three federal roads within Saxony-Anhalt, alongside funding shortfalls impacting the maintenance of existing infrastructure, potentially leading to increased speed limits or other traffic restrictions.
According to the “Mitteldeutsche Zeitung” the Ministry of Transport’s document, attributed to Federal Minister for Transport, Patrick Schnieder (CDU), highlights a precarious financial situation for federal highways in the coming years. Specifically, three planned federal road construction projects in Saxony-Anhalt are now facing potential jeopardy: the Bruckdorf bypass on the B6, the Wittenberg bypass on the B2 and the Miesterhorst bypass (Salzwedel Altmarkkreis) on the B188.
The document states that “based on the agreed medium-term financial planning until 2029, the financing of federal highways is not secured in many areas” making project approvals unlikely. Furthermore, the Ministry estimates that a total of €419 million is needed by 2029 to adequately maintain existing federal roads in Saxony-Anhalt, but a current planning shortfall of €169 million could impede these efforts.
Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister for Transport, Lydia Hüskens (FDP), expressed strong concern, stating, “The federal government finances a special fund of €500 billion with debt, supposedly for infrastructure and at the same time, infrastructure is being scrimped on”. She characterized this situation as inconsistent with responsible policy making.
Sepp Müller, parliamentary group vice president (CDU) from Gräfenhainichen, emphasized the commitment to honoring previously promised projects, stating that “pledged bypasses must be financed by the federal government”. He acknowledged the challenge of bridging existing financial gaps and confirmed ongoing discussions with the ministry to identify solutions. Martin Kröber, SPD Member of the Bundestag representing Magdeburg, also pledged to advocate for prioritizing necessary infrastructure repairs and securing a resolution to the funding shortfall.
