Bautzen (dpa/sn) – Local politicians have demanded an “unconditional resumption” of the A4 expansion between Dresden and Görlitz in the federal transport route plan. “The efficiency of this European traffic artery has already been reached today, above all due to the increase in heavy goods and truck traffic,” explained Bautzen district administrator Udo Witschas (CDU) on Friday after a meeting with colleagues at the Oberlausitz motorway service station. At the same time, the fastest possible electrification of the rail connection between the two cities is required.
The federal government had seen no need for the six-lane expansion of the A4 and referred to studies according to which the forecast traffic volume is not sufficiently verifiable. But Saxony can use money from the structural aid for the coal phase-out. The Free State, in turn, rejects this. Saxon Economics Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) argued that the funds were not intended to be used to expand federal infrastructure. That is why the overdue expansion was not registered via the Structural Strengthening Act.
The federal decision had caused frustration in East Saxony. Traffic jams on the A4 towards Poland and on the opposite lane are the order of the day. “We urgently need the expansion and are exceedingly disappointed that the federal government is not sticking to its promises,” emphasized Wischas. It can be assumed that traffic will increase as a result of economic developments in Southern and Eastern Europe and their orientation towards the seaports. In addition, commuters face a test of patience every day.
