An alliance of several associations considers the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan 2030 to be no longer up to date. They believe that climate goals are not sufficiently taken into account – and insist on road renovations instead of new construction and expansion.
Environmental and transport associations have called for a turnaround in transport planning in Germany. According to a study presented on Monday by the Austrian Federal Environment Agency, the planning is not yet geared towards achieving climate goals, or not to the extent required.
This was commissioned by the environmental associations NABU, BUND and the Freight Railway Association. The associations are calling for a paradigm shift. In view of the renovation backlog on highways and bridges, the construction and expansion of the road does not make sense.
Cost increases in billions
This is exactly what the current draft provides for. The current Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan 2030 as the most important instrument for planning the transport infrastructure dates back to 2016. It involves the long-term conception of expansion and new construction, as well as the maintenance and renewal of federal highways, railways and waterways.
The plan is drawn up every ten to 15 years by the Federal Ministry of Transport. A review of the so-called requirements plans is currently underway. According to the ministry, a corresponding report, which could include cost increases for projects amounting to billions, should go to the Bundestag by summer. In their coalition agreement, the SPD, Greens and FDP announced that they would launch a new “Federal Transport Infrastructure and Mobility Plan 2040” based on new criteria.
BUND: Climate protection requirements missed
The associations criticized the fact that the traffic planning had not been adapted to the “dramatically developed legal obligations” or to the political requirements for climate protection or the protection of biodiversity.
BUND transport expert Jens Hilgenberg pointed out that, according to figures from the Federal Environment Agency, the transport sector also missed targets for the emission of climate-damaging greenhouse gases last year.
Güterbahnen managing director Peter Westenberger criticized the fact that in recent years the expansion of the road has been significantly higher than that of rail. According to the associations, the Federal Ministry of Transport and the members of the Bundestag are now in demand. In the process of reviewing the requirements plan, changes would have to be made to the infrastructure planning. A 2030 plan drawn up in 2016 cannot remain unchanged.