Shortly before the Bundestag’s first reading of the Infrastructure Future Act, which seeks to speed up infrastructure projects, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) urged further steps to increase the pace. DIHK managing director Helena Melnikov told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition) that a modest acceleration on individual projects is not enough. “The modernization of all means of transport must be treated as an overriding public interest” she said.
She added that endless expert‑report loops need to be ended by clear deadline rules and that replacement new constructions should consistently be exempt from approval and inspection requirements.
Under the Act, major transportation‑infrastructure projects will be designated as overriding public interest, shifting them from the 500 billion‑euro special fund. Environmental concerns will be treated as secondary in the process-a point the Expert Council on Environmental Issues has recently criticized sharply.