A3 expansion in Franconia: 67 kilometers completed by the end of 2025!

A3 expansion in Franconia: 67 kilometers completed by the end of 2025!

The Autobahn 3 in Franconia has developed into an important project for the region, which is scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2026. [Merkur]. However, the construction work, which began in July 2020, suffered delays. These were caused by both the corona pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

The expansion includes numerous measures, including the construction of around 90 bridges and the modernization of eight junctions. Measures for noise protection, drainage and landscaping are also on the agenda. Despite the challenges, the opposite lanes in the affected sections are already passable, which at least partially relieves traffic.

Current status and further challenges

Two sections of the route are currently particularly affected: around five kilometers between Pommersfelden and Höchstadt-Ost in the direction of Frankfurt/Main and around four and a half kilometers in the area of ​​the Frauenaurach junction in the direction of Nuremberg. N-TV highlights that these delays could affect the completion of the project in the near future.

The Bavarian state government is also calling for the expansion of the A8 between Ulm-West and the Ulm/Elchingen motorway junction to be implemented as soon as possible. The planned six-lane expansion of the A99 in Upper Bavaria is not due until June 2028 at the earliest and brings its own challenges in terms of noise protection. However, the current delays in the projects are also due to a billion-dollar gap in the Federal Ministry of Transport's budget. Süddeutsche reports that 74 construction projects on German highways are affected by similar delays.

For route planning and implementation, sufficient budget estimates are also required in the financing and implementation plan 2025 to 2029 of the federal Autobahn GmbH. There are currently serious concerns about the financing of projects relating to the implementation of new and expanded federal highways.

Calm into the future

In this context, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) made a clear statement and called for more money in the federal budget for the construction and expansion of motorways and railways. He emphasizes that the transport budget needs to be significantly increased while the CSU puts pressure on the parliament in Berlin. Martin Geilhufe from the Association for Nature Conservation in Bavaria is satisfied that road construction projects are being critically examined, but also sees the need for financial support.

So it remains to be seen how the situation surrounding the expansion of Autobahn 3 and other projects will develop. The call for financial support from the government is unmistakable and appears to be of great importance for the future transport infrastructure in Bavaria.