Court decides

Emergency braking on the S 8 expressway

Expressways should ensure fast traffic. In the Weinviertel region, the plans for the S 8 have to be put on ice (for the time being). (symbolic photo).

(Bild: Jürgen Radspieler, Krone KREATIV)

The construction of the Weinviertel expressway (S 8) has been hotly disputed for many years. The Federal Administrative Court has now put the brakes on the route plans: a protected area is in acute danger. The ÖVP and FPÖ are furious. The Neos speak of home-made mistakes in the planning.

"We won't give up," recently declared supporters of the S 8, the Marchfeld expressway. Now the bitter setback: the Federal Administrative Court has announced that the submitted variant may not be built. The court came to the conclusion that the project would have a significant negative impact on the European nature reserve in the region. "We stand behind the Marchfeld," was the first reaction of Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

 "Citizens suffering from traffic jams"
The congestion-plagued population will not be left in the lurch and a quick (road) solution is needed. The Freedom Party is also outraged. Provincial deputy Udo Landbauer (FPÖ): "The court's decision is a slap in the face for the congestion-plagued citizens."

 "Partly chaotic planning"
The Neos speak of "partly chaotic planning", which led to the end of the project. They had demanded a comprehensive concept. "The victims are now the affected citizens," they say.