Construction firm grapples with traffic jams due to extensive motorway repair work
The newly established Autobahn GmbH, responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of Germany's motorway network, is facing a significant challenge: a massive maintenance backlog. Internal reports reveal that approximately 10,000 kilometres of Autobahn lanes are in "poor" or "very poor" condition.
Many bridges on the motorway network, built in the 1960s and 1970s, are nearing the end of their lifespan due to heavy traffic loads. This is a pressing issue that the company is eager to address.
Stephan Krenz, the CEO of Autobahn GmbH, sees the company as a future digital traffic flow guide. He believes that every avoided traffic jam brings economic benefit and is committed to making the motorway network more efficient.
In line with this vision, Autobahn GmbH is considering topics such as recycling, renaturation, and energy-autonomous parking lots. These initiatives aim to promote sustainability, a goal that Krenz has emphasised.
The transfer of responsibility from the states to the federal government is intended to facilitate quicker, more efficient, and cost-effective maintenance measures. This change is expected to streamline operations and enable the company to address the maintenance backlog more effectively.
Autobahn GmbH is currently engaged in construction activities on the motorway network. A photo of a motorway construction site was provided by dts Nachrichtenagentur.
As for the political landscape, Autobahn GmbH is preparing for the possibility of a black-green coalition after the federal election in 2021. In Berlin, it is expected that the Union (CDU/CSU) and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen would be the coalition parties.
The new Autobahn GmbH began operations on January 1, 2022, and it is clear that it has a challenging yet exciting road ahead. With a focus on sustainability and efficiency, the company is poised to shape the future of Germany's motorway network.
