CSU regional group chief Dobrindt on the Oberau tunnel: "It's a project of the century"

Created: 05/26/2022, 07:00

By: Dirk Walter

Alexander Dobrindt, head of the CSU state group, in an interview.

© picture alliance/dpa/Christoph Soeder

In an interview, Alexander Dobrindt is looking forward to the opening of the Oberau tunnel, he should provide relief for the region and reduce economic damage.

Oberau - The current head of the CSU group in the Bundestag, Alexander Dobrindt, on his role in the realization of the Oberau tunnel, which will be released on Friday (May 27).

In Oberau you are the star, in Berlin you are seen as someone who, as Federal Transport Minister, unabashedly steered tens of millions into your own constituency.

Does that affect you?

No, that's not correct either.

I organized the financing for transport projects that are urgently needed in my home region - catching up on something that had been deliberately neglected in the past and which put the Werdenfelser Land at a massive disadvantage.

No other regions have suffered from this.

I have started an investment ramp-up and thus massively increased the transport budget.

All regions of Germany have benefited from this.

Perhaps historians will judge that.

I ask for it.

This is relatively easy to understand.

My promise was that all transport projects that were ready for construction would also be financed, and I kept that.

Federal states that complained about allegedly too little money simply had not planned enough projects.

Dobrindt: Tunnel should relieve the region and reduce economic damage

What does the tunnel bring for Oberau and what for Munich day trippers?

The Oberau tunnel is a project of the century, currently the longest road tunnel in Bavaria.

It relieves the region of through traffic, strengthens local traffic and enables faster mobility.

This is important for travelers, but above all for commercial traffic.

The bypass prevents pointless traffic jams and thus reduces economic damage.

The Oberau tunnel will be opened in a few days.

© picture alliance/dpa/Angelika Warmuth

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Two out of five tunnel projects have now been completed.

Are you optimistic that all will be completed?

I was always concerned with the overall project, which includes the Auerberg tunnel, which is under construction and also financed.

It's the same with the Kramer tunnel.

The planning approval for the Wank Tunnel is in progress, so that construction readiness can be achieved in the near future.

But it's not funded.

That's correct.

In the end, the responsible federal minister has to put his hook under it.

But I expect the current transport minister to provide the necessary funds.

Otherwise he would have to take back my promise that everything that is ready for construction will also be financed.

That would be a clear failure of the FDP minister.

Dobrindt on traffic turnaround: "E-cars don't fly"

Critics say the Loisach valley will become a transit route towards the Brenner Pass?

The volume of traffic has continued to increase in recent years.

It is wrong that the tunnels would attract traffic.

The traffic is already there.

Excursion traffic continues to increase, as does business and freight traffic.

Incidentally, even a traffic turnaround with e-cars will not lead to cars flying.

Why did you forget the train?

objection.

Significant investments have been made in the railway.

The Werdenfelsbahn is also an attractive aerial tramway between Munich and Garmisch-Partenkirchen and has also been upgraded, for example with more frequent services.

Further improvements are planned, such as a 30-minute rhythm to Murnau.

But the two-track expansion is not in the Federal Transport Routes Plan.

Yes, because it is a regional route and the Federal Transport Route Plan is being drawn up for long-distance routes.

Nevertheless, would the expansion be necessary?

In parts yes.

But even more can be done on the existing network, for example by installing sidings.

Increasing the clock speed is the key.

The plans are going.

A continuous double track is also rejected by environmental protection - because they do not want a second track through the Murnauer Moos.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, the mayor presented you with an "Alexander-Dobrindt-Tunnel" sign.

What has become of it?

The picture hangs in my office.

For me, it is one of the most emotional memories of my time as Federal Minister of Transport.

The interview was conducted by Dirk Walter.