A100: New construction increases noise and pollution

At the end of March, the Federal Ministry of Transport announced its intention to push ahead with plans for the further construction of the A100 motorway. The 17th section was to extend from Treptower Park in the direction of Lichtenberg to Storkower Straße. But the capital's red-red-green senate views the plans of the FDP-led ministry with critical eyes. This is because - after agreements within the framework of the coalition contract - the SPD, the Greens and the Left had agreed not to pursue the project in the current legislative period.  

Especially in the affected neighbourhoods, the further construction of the A100 was criticised. The district mayor of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Clara Herrmann (Greens), had spoken out against it several times. It is "absurd in terms of transport policy to burden residents even more with feeder traffic - with noise and particulate matter", Herrmann argues. This is only one of the points on which the politician bases her criticism.  

In many respects, the further construction in Berlin's east is "absolute madness", a threat to the neighbouring districts. It would not only lead to increased noise and particulate pollution, but would also have direct consequences for the climate and the quality of life in the neighbourhoods. The climatic changes are already being felt dramatically in the densely populated district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. The situation could get even worse if road traffic increases in the middle of Berlin. And this will happen, because "if you build motorways, you will get more traffic" - explains the district mayor.  

From a financial point of view, the A100 project is also subject to massive criticism. The planned budget of at least 531 million euros could be better used elsewhere in the eyes of Berlin's Greens. For example, 1859 kilometres of new cycle paths, 26 kilometres of tram routes or the purchase of 780 e-buses could be covered by the costs of the A100 expansion. Herrmann would base her transport policy on this if the senate would still withdraw the plans for the 17th motorway section.  

It is clear, she said, that the transport sector plays and will continue to play a crucial role in meeting the Paris climate protection targets. But what is not part of this, Herrmann continued, are motorways. They are a supposedly simple solution to a much more complex problem that could get worse as a result. However, the arguments of the critical voices do not seem convincing enough. There is little chance that the Federal Ministry of Transport will abandon the extension plans for the A100 motorway. An extension of the already existing environmental zone to the motorways and areas outside the S-Bahn ring could at least ensure less particulate matter.