Billions of investments: Rhine protection upgrades for Austria and Switzerland

Billions of investments: Rhine protection upgrades for Austria and Switzerland

Austria and the Switzerland invest 2.1 billion euros in flood protection on the Rhine

A special moment of cohesion was experienced in the Austrian parliament when a state contract was unanimously passed to improve the flood protection of the Rhine. This decision not only brings together financial resources of 2.1 billion euros from Austria and Switzerland, but also harbors a long -term perspective for security along the river.

The Alpine Rhine, which flows into Lake Constance, can currently lead up to 3,100 cubic meters of water per second in heavy rainfall. This corresponds to a flood that statistically occurs every 100 years. The capacity is to be increased to 4,300 cubic meters per second by planned measures. These improvements can only be implemented from 2027, with expected completion in 20 years. The project is carried out on a distance of 26 kilometers to give the river more space and put it in a more natural state.

The main goal of this ambitious project is to better protect around 300,000 people in the Rhine Valley from possible floods. By signing the agreement between Austria and Switzerland in May, responsibility for this project is shared, with both countries bearing the costs half.

The collectivity of these measures illustrates the importance of interaction in coping with natural events and the protection of the community. The investment in flood protection on the Rhine is an example of the obligation to ensure the security and stability of the habitat along the river in the long term.