Hesse plans to accelerate road construction projects
The state government wants to simplify the planning approval process and reduce bureaucratic hurdles
Quick Look
- The Hessian state government wants to accelerate road construction projects through simplified planning approval procedures.
- In the future, discussion meetings will be canceled and deadlines for authorities will be shortened, while the principle of “maintenance before new construction” will remain in place.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The state government is striving to modernize the transport infrastructure by reducing bureaucratic processes. The bill is currently in its first reading in the Hesse state parliament.
Hesse wants to speed up road construction. “Not every road construction project requires the full program of a year-long process,” explained Transport Minister Kaweh Mansoori (SPD). «Where we can simplify, we do. Where protection and participation are necessary, they will be retained,” added the deputy head of government. The Hessian state parliament in Wiesbaden dealt with a corresponding bill in its first reading.
According to the Ministry of Transport, in the future a plan approval process for state roads will be focused on necessary cases. Road maintenance work, reconstruction after natural disasters or certain work on bridges could possibly be carried out without a full planning approval process.
No more discussion appointment
In future, authorities involved in road construction should generally submit their statements within one month. According to the information, plans could be submitted and published digitally. The previously regularly scheduled discussion date has been cancelled. The planning approval authority must continue to examine objections and statements.
According to the ministry, what is also new is a possible provisional order to begin certain preparations or partial measures before the plan approval decision.
The amendment to the law is also intended to provide relief for residents. “Bypasses on state roads and cycle paths on state and district roads should be in the overriding public interest in the future. Their importance can therefore be taken into greater account in official considerations,” explained the Ministry of Transport.
At the same time, the principle of “maintenance before new construction” remains relevant for state road construction as a whole.
Association: Road construction projects “simply far too long”
The Association of Hessian Business Associations (VhU) spoke of “an important step forward on the path to an efficient and modern transport infrastructure”. Currently, road construction projects “simply take far too long”.
The Green opposition in the state parliament judged: “Many adjustments, little courage and little new.” Among other things, funding for the construction of cycle paths would not be increased. The strategic cycle path planning department at the Hessen Mobil authority will even be dissolved. The state government “stands against the freedom of choice of means of transport,” complained the Green parliamentary group.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Passage of the bill after further parliamentary discussions.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- When does the law come into force?
- How do other associations react to the dissolution of cycle path planning at Hessen Mobil?
