Dispute over speed limit

A2: FPÖ does not want to be “slowed down”

FPÖ State Councillor for Transport and State Vice-Chairman Udo Landbauer (small picture) reacted to the introduction of the "80 km/h chicane" on the four-lane southern freeway near Wiener Neudorf with sharp criticism.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Imre Antal, Archiv)

Election sweetener, last act of a politician or important initiative? Since the speed limit of 80 km/h has been in force on the A2 near Wiener Neudorf, there has been controversy. But how long will the limit last?

FPÖ State Transport Councillor Udo Landbauer has now reacted with harsh criticism to the introduction of the "80 km/h chicane" on the four-lane southern freeway near Wiener Neudorf. The background: after decades of disputes, the Ministry of Transport and the Environment under the Green Party's Leonore Gewessler has now quickly given the green light for the permanent reduction of the speed limit.

Mayor sees advantages
Mayor Herbert Janschka (ÖVP) commented: "Everyone will benefit from this, because everyone suffers from the daily traffic jams on the outskirts of Vienna." FPÖ chairman Landbauer's opinion is clear: "This is unrealistic and an imposition for drivers. What is the point of having a well-developed four-lane highway if people are only then slowed down again? This is deliberate harassment of motorists by the Green Minister, who wants to create a monument to herself before she leaves office."

80 km/h on the south highway is unrealistic and an imposition. It's good that the poisonous green traffic policy will soon come to an end.

Landesvize und Verkehrslandesrat Udo Landbauer (FPÖ)

Bild: FPÖ

17 million euros for the highest noise barrier in the state
Landbauer cannot understand Janschka's arguments that this is important noise protection for the planned residents. A whopping 17 million euros had previously been invested in the construction of Austria's highest noise barrier. On 15 January 2020, Janschka wrote on his personal mayoral blog on the internet: "Construction work is due to start in a few months. Where it is currently very loud (up to three times the permitted level), it will not be absolutely quiet, but it will be bearable. And where the highway noise is moderate but annoying today, it will be quiet."

"No noticeable improvement"
The liberal local councillor in Wiener Neudorf, Robert Stania, reminds Mayor Herbert Janschka of his statements from back then and continues: "I hear from many citizens that the new 80 has not led to any noticeable improvement in noise pollution on this route. And since the noise barrier has been in place, it has become even louder in other parts of the town."

"Leonore Gewessler has an expiration date"
His party colleague Udo Landbauer is already announcing the apparent end of the speed reduction that has just been imposed. "Because the measure contradicts the fundamental purpose of a highway, namely fast and efficient traffic. It's a good thing that Leonore Gewessler's poisonous green transport policy has an expiration date," concludes the FPÖ leader.