North Rhine-Westphalia's transport minister Oliver Krischer has warned of an increase in potholes and defective bridges on federal roads. He criticizes federal cuts to infrastructure maintenance funding. This could impair traffic safety.
Oliver Krischer, North Rhine-Westphalia's transport minister and a member of the Greens, sharply criticized the federal government in the "Rheinische Post". He accused Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) of failing to adequately support the maintenance of federal roads. "If Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) does not change course, then starting next year, despite the special infrastructure fund, the number of potholes and broken bridges on federal roads will increase significantly," Krischer said. This would come at the expense of traffic safety.
The statement comes just before the transport ministers' conference, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in Straubing, Bavaria. There, the state transport ministers will meet with the federal transport minister. The agenda includes the special infrastructure fund, the Deutschlandticket, and the future of rail transport in Germany.
Krischer emphasized that the federal government has cut financial resources for the upkeep of federal roads. The warning highlights ongoing tensions between the federal level and the states regarding the financing of transport infrastructure.