Built in a risk area

Landslide ruins cycle path

The cycle path in Zell am Pettenfirst, which was opened in the fall, is in need of renovation. A landslide ruined the 950,000 euro project. A landowner is making serious accusations against the provincial road administration. It was built in the risk area without a profound expert opinion, and now it is being driven over.

The construction of the 1.2 kilometer long footpath and cycle path in Zell am Pettenfirst cost around 950,000 euros. In the late fall of last year, the first cyclists were able to pedal on the narrow strip next to the B 143. Now the excavators are rolling again on the completely destroyed cycle route.

Rain as the cause of the landslide
"In November and December last year, it rained 286 percent more than normal. This caused a landslide. We had to take immediate action because of the imminent danger," explains road district manager Evelyn Kroiß. The slope is to be flattened by May and a new drainage system installed. At the same time, the gas pipes will also have to be re-laid. Kroiß is expecting additional costs of 200,000 euros.

Clearing without a decision
However, the construction of the cycle path could become a case for the courts. Daniel Führer, who owns nine hectares of forest along the route, is making serious accusations. In the mining area with many tunnels, construction is said to have been carried out without a thorough expert opinion. After the damage to the cycle path came to light, it was allegedly driven over. "It's being cleared without notification. 6500 square meters of forest are gone," says the 37-year-old, who lives in Ohlsdorf.

6500 square meters of forest were cleared without notification. We don't know who marked the trees. We only get impotent answers from the state road administration.

Daniel Führer, Grundstücksbesitzer

He also accuses the state and district road administration of a completely inadequate exchange of information: "We don't know what they are doing or what they plan to do next. Nobody talks to us".

Christian Dick, head of the state's road construction department, denies this: "There have been many discussions with the Führer family. We are trying to reach the best possible agreement." The only problem is that there is a dispute between the state geologist and the family and lawyers have also been called in. Mayor Johann Stockinger (VP) rejects the accusations of bungling: "You're always smarter afterwards. But it rained a lot."