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Aug 14, 2020 at 7:02 AMThe DVF (German Transport Forum) welcomes the Cabinet’s decision on an Investment Acceleration Act. This marks the right path for the federal government, especially regarding the restoration of transport infrastructure. There is a need for bridges, railway tracks, and locks.
(Berlin) The DVF welcomes today’s Cabinet decision on the Investment Acceleration Act, which aims for faster planning, approval, and construction in the future.
DVF Managing Director Dr. Florian Eck: “Many bridges are dilapidated, railway tracks need to be electrified and digitized, and locks need to be renewed. These structural upgrades must no longer be stuck in the planning and approval process. Therefore, we welcome the federal government’s willingness to reduce the scope of approval procedures where it concerns the restoration or replacement of existing transport routes. A quick completion reduces traffic jams on rail, road, and waterways and improves the sector’s climate balance.”
Gradual Adjustment of Legal Frameworks
“With the gradual adjustment of the legal frameworks to accelerate planning and approval processes, the federal government is on the right path. The reforms must now be consistently continued by also addressing the further recommendations of the Expert Commission on Major Projects and the Innovation Forum for Planning Acceleration,” explains Eck.
According to Eck, the acceleration effects should also benefit other sectors in the future: “Hydrogen needs green electricity, which requires retrofitting existing wind farms with more efficient turbines. Equally important is the upgrading of data networks, radio masts, and power grids.”
The mobility association of the German economy sees a need for action in other areas, including the deadline regulation and species protection standards. Major projects, which already have complex approval processes, are particularly delayed due to changes in legislation, as there is a lack of a deadline regulation. “Here, the legislator should stipulate that the old legal situation continues to apply to matters that were initiated in the past,” demands Eck.
“For procedural acceleration, a stronger standardization in the implementation of species protection is also necessary. For species that are frequently subject to approval processes in the field of transport infrastructure, we advocate for a corresponding regulation.”
Digitalization of Procedures
Another important step is the digitalization of procedures. Eck states: “Especially in the case of acceleration, citizens must be involved early on, and the processes must remain transparent. The new possibilities of digital publication on the internet can be utilized for this purpose.”
For the law to actually have an effect in the end, according to Eck, administrations need sufficient staffing, and external capacities should be increasingly utilized. Furthermore, the processes need to be digitalized much more, which would simultaneously enable early citizen participation. The acceleration effects should also benefit other sectors in the long term, such as hydrogen, data networks, power grids, and radio masts.
Photo: © Hüslkens Wasserbau
