AfD's €65M Bridge Plan for Halle Sparks Debate Over Traffic and Funding
AfD Council Faction Sparks Fierce Debate in Halle (Saale) Over Federal Climate Funds
A heated dispute has erupted in Halle (Saale)'s city council after the local AfD faction proposed a radical overhaul of how the city should allocate millions in federal special funds earmarked for infrastructure and climate neutrality. In a bold amendment, the faction is pushing for a complete shift away from the administration's existing plans, demanding that resources be concentrated almost exclusively on expanding transport infrastructure—while scrapping most other projects entirely.
New Saale River Crossing as a Strategic Priority
The AfD wants to allocate €65 million—more than half of the available federal funds—to construct a new two-lane southern bridge over the Saale River. Designed as a direct link between the districts of Halle-West and Halle-South, specifically connecting Passendorfer Damm with Südstadtring, the crossing would also include bike lanes on both sides. The faction argues that this is the only project truly aligned with the fund's purpose, as it would relieve residents of congested inner-city traffic and unnecessary detours. With previous attempts to build a third Saale crossing repeatedly stalling over funding, the AfD now sees a unique opportunity to finally complete this "missing piece" of the city's infrastructure using federal money.
Economic Benefits and Time Savings for Commuters
Supporters of the bridge project base their proposal on extensive cost-benefit analyses. By cutting travel distances by roughly six kilometers per trip, private motorists alone could save around €4.16 million annually in fuel and vehicle costs, the AfD claims. Factoring in time savings—estimated at over 600,000 hours per year for commuters and commercial traffic, valued at a flat rate of €20 per hour—the faction calculates a permanent economic benefit of approximately €16 million annually. The party also argues that the direct connection would boost Halle's appeal as a business location, while speeding up emergency services and public transport. Fraction leader Alexander Raue has already presented these arguments in committee meetings.
Sweeping Cuts and Criticism of City Hall's Approach
To free up funds for the bridge, the AfD is demanding drastic cuts to nearly all other investment projects in the administration's proposal. Under their plan, only a handful of initiatives would remain: the €33 million renovation of the Stadthaus (city hall), upgrades to volunteer fire stations in Neustadt and Passendorf, and the replacement of two bridges in Osendorf and Angersdorf. An additional €1.166 million would go toward modernizing street lighting with LED technology to reduce energy costs and improve public safety. The faction justifies its hardline stance by arguing that the special fund should not be squandered on "election giveaways" or used to "plug budget gaps," as it would otherwise burden future generations with debt.
Balancing Nature Conservation and Urban Development
Addressing expected conflicts with environmental protections in the Saale Valley, the AfD dismisses concerns that ecological considerations are being overemphasized. The party argues that attributing excessive environmental value to a narrow riverside strip is unjustifiable when weighed against the project's substantial economic and social benefits. Citing the controversial Waldschlösschen Bridge in Dresden as precedent, the faction claims that such infrastructure can secure approval when public interest is deemed paramount. Ultimately, the AfD frames the southern Saale crossing as a necessity for both family and economic policy, asserting that environmental impacts could be mitigated through careful planning.
However, René Rebenstorf, the city's head of construction, had previously warned against the proposal, anticipating lengthy legal challenges. He cautioned that even if approval were eventually granted, the process would likely drag on until the federal funds had already expired—meaning the money could ultimately go unused.
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