[ad_1]
It was one of the great demands of the Unionist Social Democrats (FSG) at the time: a separate highway through the Waldviertel. For this they even took to the streets, announced a referendum and got a decision in the General Assembly of the Chamber of Labor. At that time Erwin Pröll ruled from the ÖVP as governor. He was an opponent of this project.
The omens of this changed. Because under Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and State Councilor for Transport Ludwig Schleritzko (both ÖVP) the project “Europa-Spange” was launched: a motorway through the Waldviertel, which would become the axis between the A7 and the A5. This was launched together with the regional Waldviertel association. A strategic review followed in the Ministry of Transport.
Recently, however, he had become increasingly silent about this project. Now it has been canceled forever. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) announced this conclusion in St. Pölten. “We want to take advantage of the national offer instead of building a highway,” says Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
850 million for rail expansion
In return, a transport package was presented for around 1.8 billion euros for public transport and road construction.
On the one hand, the package focuses on making public transport more attractive. A total of € 850 million will be used to expand the railway in northern Lower Austria. These include Franz-Josefs-Bahn, Nordwestbahn, and Laaer Ostbahn. The first projects will start from 2026. And: A connection will be created between Franz-Josefs-Bahn and Westbahn. This should allow travelers from Waldviertel to reach Vienna or St. Pölten more quickly, Mikl-Leitner and Minister Gewessler announced.
Turnouts instead of the highway
On the other hand, existing roads are being expanded. Detours are planned in part, in part they will extend down one lane. These projects should become a reality in the next 15 years.
A study also contributed to moving away from the Waldviertel motorway, which clearly stated that this project was running too late. That it is more necessary to attract transport infrastructure more quickly. Also, there was some rethinking of the motorway in Waldviertel.
Some time ago, the SPÖ also positioned itself as an opponent of the project. Despite the initiative of the social democratic trade unionists of the time.
