Vienna U-Bahn Expansion Could Become a Billion-Euro Grave According to FPÖ
The current expansion of the subway in Vienna is marked by delays and will be much more expensive than expected. At least, that is the conviction of the Vienna FPÖ. The costs could amount to up to 10 billion euros, it was warned. Even a construction halt in the U2/U5 project cannot be ruled out, stated party leader Dominik Nepp and city utilities spokesperson Klemens Resch on Tuesday. They criticized, among other things, that no valorization is provided for in the contracts with the federal government.
Vienna FPÖ fears massive additional costs in subway expansion
Currently, intensive work is being done on the new "line cross" in the Vienna underground. The new U5 is supposed to start operations in 2026 and connect Karlsplatz and Frankhplatz, which was originally planned for 2023. At the earliest in 2030, the U2 is supposed to branch off at the Rathaus junction onto a completely newly built route towards Matzleinsdorfer Platz. At the same time, the extension of the U5 to Hernals is already being planned, which is to be realized by 2035 at the latest. The U2, in turn, is also supposed to connect to Wienerberg in the future.
Experts speak of 10 billion euro project costs
They are committed to the expansion of the subway, emphasized the Freedom Party. However, the additional costs are enormous, which is problematic given the city's strained budget situation, Nepp stated. Vienna is in danger of going bankrupt. The recently reported 6.4 billion euros in costs for the project already represent a tripling compared to earlier figures. However, experts have now reported to the FPÖ that the work could consume up to 10 billion euros, reported the Vienna FPÖ leader.
"The city is left with the additional costs," he noted. Because in the agreement with the federal government, there is no provision for compensation for overruns. There are only commitments to cover half of the basic costs. According to the FPÖ, the federal government contributes around 2.8 billion euros for the construction of the two lines. "A future project has become a bottomless pit," Resch complained.
Construction halt for U2/U5 not ruled out
The FPÖ now doubts, among other things, that the extension to Hernals will proceed as planned. A construction halt is also not ruled out here. Reference was also made today to audits of public transport expansion by the City Audit Office and the Federal Audit Office. There has already been sharp criticism, it was recalled.
Through an inquiry, they now want to find out, among other things, how high the city currently estimates the total costs. They also want to know what the cost increases are attributed to and how tenders were handled. Whether the announced increase in ticket prices is related to the cost overruns is also of interest to the Freedom Party.
SPÖ sees crude scaremongering
The SPÖ described the statements in a reaction as "crude scaremongering." The U2/U5 expansion is the city's largest climate protection and infrastructure project with twelve new subway stations, complex public transport hubs, and eleven kilometers of new track, emphasized SP municipal councilor Omar Al-Rawi. Currently, work is being done at full speed. "There is a valid financing agreement between the federal government and the city of Vienna for the U2xU5 project," he added.
It is stipulated that the federal government and the city of Vienna share the costs for planning, construction, and commissioning of new subway lines. According to the SP politician, the completion of the century project is planned for the period 2032 to 2035.
The Greens, on the other hand, also had nothing good to say about the situation. The project would fit "seamlessly" into the series of poorly managed large projects by Red-Pink, stated party leaders Judith Pühringer and Peter Kraus in a joint release. Kraus also warned that a later expansion would probably cost many times more. "Raising public transport prices while simultaneously canceling necessary investments is a mockery of public transport passengers in Vienna," judged Pühringer.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.