A3 Motorway Expansion Hits €530M Costs Amid Fierce Opposition and Debate
The planned expansion of the A3 motorway to eight lanes between Leverkusen and Hilden now faces rising costs and growing opposition. Latest estimates place the project at over €530 million, sparking debate over cheaper alternatives. Local politicians and business groups have voiced strong concerns about the financial and environmental impact.
Work on the A3 between Opladen and Hilden interchange began in 2017, with renovations resuming in March 2023. Despite delays, federal and regional leaders continue to push for the full eight-lane expansion. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing and CDU MP Jürgen Hardt remain key supporters, alongside FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner, who has called for stricter budget controls on major infrastructure projects.
Andreas Pinkwart, a regional politician, actively backed the expansion in 2021, arguing for its necessity. But opposition has grown, particularly from the Green Party. Martina Köster-Flashar, a Green member of the regional council, proposed a temporary hard shoulder opening (TSF) instead. This alternative could boost capacity by 20% at just 10-20% of the expansion’s cost.
Manfred Krause, chairman of the Green regional faction, called the eight-lane plan irresponsible, claiming it ignores local interests. Leon Kröck, mobility spokesman for the council, highlighted other transport solutions, such as the RRX premium train line, upgrades to the Ratinger West route, a new rail link between Düsseldorf and Duisburg, and a third track between Cologne and Solingen for an S-Bahn connection.
Business groups, including the Bergische IHK, have also opposed the expansion, citing excessive costs and prolonged disruption. The region from Langenfeld to Solingen remains particularly critical of the project’s financial and logistical burdens.
The A3 expansion now stands at over half a billion euros, with no clear resolution in sight. While supporters argue for long-term traffic relief, critics push for cheaper, faster alternatives. The debate continues as local authorities weigh the project’s future against growing financial and environmental concerns.
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