Court okays contentious Berlin motorway
A German court has given the green-light for the controversial extension project on the A100 motorway in Berlin. The federal court in Leipzig dismissed the claims against the ongoing construction, but imposed a few conditions.
The Federal Administrative Court on Wednesday rejected four lawsuits against the controversial project. But it said the Berlin parliament would need to do more to reduce the noise pollution for nearby residents, Berlin's Der Tagesspiegel reported.
Berlin's mayor Klaus Wowereit welcomed the verdict.
"I am excited about this unambiguous verdict, which provides clarity for the A100," he said. Wowereit said it was good for the economic development of the city that the judges had backed the Senate's position.
The court approved of the objectives of the motorway's construction, which include the relieving traffic in Berlin's centre.
The construction of the 3.2-kilometre section is estimated to cost between €452 million and €475 million - making it one of the most expensive stretches of motorway in Germany. The funding is expected to come from the federal government.
The extension has been a contentious issue in Berlin for some time and the subject of much wrangling between Wowereit's Social Democrats (SPD) and the Green party, who opposed construction.
In October 2011, coalition talks between the SPD and the Greens in Berlin fell apart over the issue, prompting the SPD to form a coalition with the Christian Democrats in order to proceed with construction plans.
The Local/sh
Comments
See Also
The Federal Administrative Court on Wednesday rejected four lawsuits against the controversial project. But it said the Berlin parliament would need to do more to reduce the noise pollution for nearby residents, Berlin's Der Tagesspiegel reported.
Berlin's mayor Klaus Wowereit welcomed the verdict.
"I am excited about this unambiguous verdict, which provides clarity for the A100," he said. Wowereit said it was good for the economic development of the city that the judges had backed the Senate's position.
The court approved of the objectives of the motorway's construction, which include the relieving traffic in Berlin's centre.
The construction of the 3.2-kilometre section is estimated to cost between €452 million and €475 million - making it one of the most expensive stretches of motorway in Germany. The funding is expected to come from the federal government.
The extension has been a contentious issue in Berlin for some time and the subject of much wrangling between Wowereit's Social Democrats (SPD) and the Green party, who opposed construction.
In October 2011, coalition talks between the SPD and the Greens in Berlin fell apart over the issue, prompting the SPD to form a coalition with the Christian Democrats in order to proceed with construction plans.
The Local/sh
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.