End for Marchfeld Expressway After Verdict
"For the first time in Austria's history, a highway project, despite extreme privilege, has not received a positive environmental impact assessment decision," said Wolfgang Rehm, spokesperson for both organisations, after the Federal Administrative Court's (BVwG) decision against the Marchfeld Expressway (S8). According to the outcome of the proceedings, only a rejection, i.e., a negative decision, could have been made, as the authority should have done as early as 2016.
After the End of the Marchfeld Expressway: Gewessler Criticises Obstruction
"The Federal Administrative Court unequivocally states: This highway cannot be built as it is. There are better solutions in 2024. We could have been working on these solutions for years - unfortunately, the state has so far blocked every step forward," said Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) in a statement. Now the work must "start from scratch," according to Gewessler: "This obstruction has cost us a lot of valuable time. The bill for Landbauer's delay tactics is now being paid by the people along the planned S8 road." And: "To waste further years now with hopeless legal disputes would be irresponsible." Helga Krismer, state spokesperson for the Greens in Lower Austria, expressed similar sentiments. "The S8 would have been a fossil of the past, damaging not only the environment through soil sealing and destruction of nature but also significantly impairing the quality of life in the Marchfeld."
Mikl-Leitner Criticises Gewessler
"This development is the shameful climax of the ideologically driven transport policy of Minister Leonore Gewessler. And it only strengthens us: We stand united behind the Marchfeld," emphasised Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP). "We are fighting together for traffic relief. This development is undeserved by the people and businesses of the region. S1 and S8 must become the most important transport policy projects of the next federal government."
For Udo Landbauer (FPÖ), the state vice and transport state councillor mentioned by Gewessler, the BVwG's decision is a "heavy blow in the face" for many traffic-plagued Lower Austrians. A reorganisation of administrative jurisdiction in Austria should be reconsidered. "That the interests of the citizens are heard and our economic location is not set back to the Stone Age."
NEOS NÖ: Chaotic Planning of the Marchfeld Expressway Responsible
The S8 has been in the Federal Road Act since 2006 and was passed in the National Council with the votes of the ÖVP, SPÖ and FPÖ, reminded Gänserndorf's mayor and member of the state parliament René Lobner (ÖVP). The BVwG's findings do not change this legal mandate. "But today is a black day for the Marchfeld." "The partly chaotic planning of the S8 through a protected area and the approach of the state government" ultimately led to the result "that we already predicted in 2020 - namely the end of the S8", the NEOS Lower Austria stated in a press release.
(APA/red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.