Italy as a model for a new "Saxon pace"

The Greens in the Saxon state parliament see Italy as a role model for bridge construction. In a debate on ailing infrastructure, MP Thomas Löser recalled the collapse of the freeway bridge in Genoa in 2018. This bridge with a length of 1,067 meters was planned and rebuilt in just two years. "Two years, that would be the new Saxony speed," said Löser. A few months have already passed for the 375-metre-long Carola Bridge: "Saxony speed always, snail's pace never."

Greens complain about the slow pace of planning

In Saxony, two important traffic arteries are currently unusable: the Carola Bridge in Dresden, which partially collapsed in September 2024, and the dilapidated Elbe Bridge in Bad Schandau. The bridge on federal highway 101 near Großenhain has already been demolished. "Why does such a dramatic accident have to happen before the permanent governing party CDU in Saxony gets its act together when it comes to speeding up planning procedures?" asked Löser.

Minister: focus on safety

Saxony's Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) focused primarily on Dresden and Bad Schandau. "Immediately after the two events, we identified a total of 19 bridges that need to be investigated in greater depth. They all have something in common with the Carola Bridge, either the material used, the type of construction or the construction period. These 19 bridges are now the focus of particular attention, and safety is the priority."

Greens want to prioritize maintenance instead of expansion and new construction

"Germany and Saxony have been living on wear and tear when it comes to their infrastructure for years. We are painfully feeling the consequences of this misguided investment policy in the current state of our transport infrastructure," explained Green MP Katja Meier. The Free State must finally set the right priorities here. "Maintaining roads and bridges must take priority over building new ones. We should only afford this in absolutely exceptional cases."