The construction industry association, HDB, has voiced sharp criticism regarding the perceived sluggish allocation of funds from the special asset fund earmarked for infrastructure and climate protection. According to HDB’s chief executive, Tim-Oliver Müller, a decision prior to the summer recess could have initiated 70 to 20 projects immediately. He expressed concern that the delay risks rendering 2025 a “lost construction year” while companies have been experiencing a shortfall in orders since November 2024 under provisional budgetary management.
Müller specifically highlighted challenges faced by Autobahn GmbH, noting the inability to release new tenders to the market due to the current budgetary constraints. He described the failure to agree on a dedicated highway modernization program as disappointing, especially given the promise within the special asset fund that infrastructure upgrades would be prioritized. The situation has reportedly led to short-term work reductions in bridge construction.
A spokesperson for Autobahn GmbH confirmed to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that pre-prepared projects are currently unable to commence due to the prevailing budgetary circumstances, though they refrained from providing specific numbers regarding affected projects. The statements reflect growing anxieties within the construction sector regarding the implementation of the government’s infrastructure investment plan.