Refurbishment of streets and rails: IHK demands quick action!

Refurbishment of streets and rails: IHK demands quick action!

On July 8, 2025, representatives of the IHKs from Coburg, Suhl and Bayreuth came together in Kronach to talk about the pressing challenges of the infrastructure. At this meeting, which was opened by Wolfgang Schuberth-Raab, the President of the Central Association of the German Construction Trade, it became clear that the renovation of streets and rails is urgently required. In particular, the long planning processes are in the line of fire: up to 80% of the time are applied to, which has a negative impact on the realization period of an average of 15 years for the construction of new roads, such as [np-coburg.de] (https://www.np-coburg.de/inhalt.ihk-reffen-in-kronach- Mehr-tempo---und-und-schienen.5ec61564-f9e6-b018-de3ba5571.html) reported.

But not only planning is an obstacle. Sebastian Wlasek, deputy chairman of the IHK Coburg IHK Committee and Logistics, expressed concerns about the use of the 500 billion euros from the special fund of the federal government. These funds are supposed to put more speed into the renovation, but many also see the dangers of these large sums. Thoralf Eschrich, a member of the South Thuringian Transport Committee, called for a sense of proportion in the construction work. Meanwhile, Michael Möschel from the IHK Bayreuth warns the increasing bureaucracy that inhibits progress.

urgent need for action

The discussion in Kronach underlined that the need for action in Germany's infrastructure is more than urgent. According to the DBB specialist unions, Germany has to "get back to motion", as [dbb.de] (https://www.dbb.de/artikel/strategies- against-den-sanierungsstau.html) emphasizes. The numbers of the rail infrastructure are an alarming sign: in 2024, 37.5% of the long -distance trains were more than six minutes late. The consequences are clear: citizens lose trust in a powerful traffic structure.

As a citizens' survey of 2024 shows, 70% of the Germans perceive the state overwhelmed, which results in a clear order of action. The coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD has already expressed itself by promising to invest in the ailing infrastructure to work on punctual trains and safe roads.

underfunding and inefficiency

The persistent underfunding of public infrastructure projects is a major problem, about which [pwc.de] (https://www.pwc.de/de/risk-regulatory/risk/capital-projects-and-infrastructure/so-geling-die-rede-in--redeme-in--redeme-in--redeme-in- Planning processes are inefficient and often lack coordination. This not only leads to cost crossings, but also to considerable delays in implementation. In addition, investments have to compete with other state expenditure, which does not exactly improve the situation.

A proposal to solve these core problems is the creation of a central organizational unit at the federal level, which is intended to coordinate the successful processing of public infrastructure projects. This could initiate sustainable professionalization of infrastructure processing. The aim is not only to strengthen trust in public relations, but also to optimize and create the use of investments.

Another topic that dominated the round in Kronach was the lack of drivers in all traffic areas. The IHKs call for a revision of the professional driver qualification law and the approval of exams in other languages in order to counteract the lack of personnel. Member of the Bundestag Jonas Geissler made it clear that the modernization of the infrastructure and the adaptation of relevant laws are essential in order to remain future -proof and to successfully master the challenges in the traffic sector.