Overview

• Patrick Schnieder urges additional money for new and expanded autobahns, arguing long‑planned, shovel‑ready projects should not be left idle.
• The transport ministry estimates a roughly €15 billion shortfall for federal highways and roads from 2026 to 2029, preventing approvals for many schemes expected to secure building rights by 2029.
• A €500 billion special infrastructure fund is reserved for maintenance, rail and bridge replacement, leaving expansion to the regular transport budget that the minister says is shrinking.
• Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil says infrastructure investment is at record levels and that spending choices rest with Schnieder, while state leaders press the federal government for clarity on what will proceed.
• In Saxony, eight federal road projects cannot receive funding releases despite planning approval, with officials stressing this is not a blanket construction halt and noting separate maintenance gaps, including a €206 million shortfall in the state.