In Lower Saxony Environmental activists demonstrated towards the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the development of Autobahn 20. After years of planning and authorized disputes, building work on the primary part of the so-called coastal freeway has formally begun. On the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) described the coastal motorway because the “most necessary infrastructure challenge in northern Germany”.
The A20 ought to relieve existing traffic axes in the Hamburg area and higher join the German ports on the North and Baltic Seas. The challenge has been controversial for years. Environmentalists criticize that the development of latest highways is the unsuitable transport coverage, and fear for natural areas such as moors on the edge of the planned route.
Environmentalists criticize the influence on moors and the local weather
“The development of the A20 is destroying moors and heating up the local weather,” mentioned Anna Fuchs, mobility officer for the environmental safety group Robin Wooden. Based on the group, the 214 kilometer route runs via Decrease Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein round 80 % via carbon-containing peat and marsh soils. The constructing contradicts “the local weather safety legal guidelines of the state of Decrease Saxony and the federal authorities.”
The group is asking on “the federal authorities to not make investments public cash within the building of extra highways, however within the rail community and thus dwell as much as its obligations to guard the local weather and the atmosphere,” mentioned Fuchs.
The primary part in Decrease Saxony is to be constructed between Westerstede on the A28 and Jaderberg on the A29 close to Oldenburg and is 13 kilometers lengthy. Prime Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) spoke of a “sign of departure”. “The A 20 ensures extra mobility for residents, makes it simpler to move items, solves logistical challenges and promotes tourism,” mentioned the SPD politician.
The challenge will take a number of years to construct
The prices for the first construction phase Based on Autobahn GmbH, the prices are estimated at round 340 million euros. After preparatory work alongside the route, which started in Wiefelstede in Might, precise street building is scheduled to start on the finish of 2028.
In whole, the A20 in Decrease Saxony is anticipated to be greater than 100 kilometers lengthy. The second construction phase remains to be within the planning approval course of. In Schleswig-Holstein, round 39 kilometers of the deliberate 112 kilometers have been accomplished thus far. On the finish of Might, the groundbreaking ceremony happened for one more nearly ten kilometer lengthy part close to Dangerous Segeberg.
Additional building was stopped by the Federal Administrative Court docket in 2013 attributable to inadequate consideration of bat safety. After an settlement between the state of Schleswig-Holstein and the Environmental Association BUND agreed on further protecting measures and a bat basis value 14 million euros.
Coastal freeway has lengthy been controversial
The challenge was additionally controversial for a very long time in Decrease Saxony. After the BUND withdrew a lawsuit towards a change determination, constructing regulation has existed for the primary part since 2025. Nevertheless, the affiliation introduced additional authorized motion towards a later part between Bremervörde and Elm.
The Inexperienced Social gathering member of the Bundestag Swantje Michaelsen described the A20 as a very local weather and environmentally damaging motorway challenge and as a substitute referred to as for extra funding within the German rail community. The challenge, nevertheless, receives assist from the area’s chambers of commerce and trade. They see the A20 as an necessary contribution to financial improvement, the power transition and bettering the infrastructure.