Potholes and bridge risk: NRW Transport Minister sounds the alarm!

Potholes and bridge risk: NRW Transport Minister sounds the alarm!

Cologne - The infrastructure in North Rhine-Westphalia is once again the focus of attention, and for a worrying reason: Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) is warning of a dramatic increase in potholes and dilapidated bridges on federal roads. In the “Rheinische Post” he expressed sharp criticism of the federal government's recent cuts in financial resources that are necessary for the preservation and maintenance of the roads. “Without adequate funding, the problems will only increase,” emphasized Krischer.

Like the Nordsee Zeitung reported, the minister plans to hold talks with Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) in good time before the upcoming meeting of the Conference of Transport Ministers, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday in Straubing. The agenda includes not only the urgent need for action regarding potholes, but also issues such as the special infrastructure fund and the future of public rail transport in Germany.

A view of the streets and bridges

The situation is by no means new. Germany's infrastructure has been put to the test for years. The weaknesses in the road and bridge network are alarming: of an estimated 130,000 bridges, around 40,000 are relevant to traffic, and of these, around 5,000 urgently need repairs. An incident from last year caused a particular stir: the Carola Bridge in Dresden collapsed on September 11, 2024, just 18 minutes after the last tram crossed the bridge. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the incident highlights the urgency of necessary maintenance measures.

According to one estimate, an amount of five billion euros could be necessary for 2025 alone to maintain the infrastructure in Germany to some extent. However, experts consider this amount to be insufficient. 4.6 billion euros were earmarked for 2024, hardly sufficient given the massive need for renovation of bridges, roads and other infrastructural elements. Over the years, the investment backlog has added up and, according to the IW study, the need will total around 600 billion euros over the next ten years, according to Deutsche Welle underlined.

The financial situation and its effects

The fundamental question of financing remains, especially given the debt brake, which represents an obstacle to investment. Industry representatives and industry organizations warn of the consequences of an inadequate financial framework, a circumstance that endangers growth and security in Germany. The Federal Minister of Transport has envisaged an infrastructure fund, but this has not yet been implemented. This means that important projects such as the general renovation of the rail network, which was budgeted at 13 billion euros, are still on the brink.

In addition, business and the population question the benefits of the transport infrastructure. A DIHK survey shows that over a quarter of companies have problems accessing high-speed internet. The BDI also estimates that around 165 billion euros will be needed for supra-regional transport infrastructure over the next ten years. These are dimensions that even the people of Cologne cannot ignore. When we talk about potholes and bridges, we are ultimately also talking about safety and quality of life.

In summary, it can be said that the signs are anything but positive and it is important to the Federal Government to set the course for renewal and maintenance at an early stage in order to ensure safety on Germany's roads and railways. The Conference of Transport Ministers must therefore send a clear signal for a sustainable infrastructure.