Because of the common spadefoot

New bridge construction in Mauthausen at risk of delay

Where do middle spotted woodpeckers, tree frogs and common spadefoot toads really live around the Mauthausen Danube bridge? Citizens' initiatives are taking legal action before the Vienna Federal Administrative Court against the positive environmental impact assessment of the planned new Danube bridge.

The environmental impact assessment for the new Danube bridge at Mauthausen, which is often decisive for construction projects, has already been approved. However, complaints have been lodged against the decisions, which could delay the project, as the provinces of Upper and Lower Austria announced in a joint statement.

One and a half years delay
The complainants want to obtain a new mapping of animal species such as the middle spotted woodpecker, the tree frog and the common spadefoot toad. Should the court grant the request, the new bridge construction would be delayed by around one and a half years, according to the federal states concerned.

Replacement of supporting structure also possible
The joint statement says that they are therefore preparing for "all eventualities", including the replacement of the old bridge's supporting structure.

The existing Danube bridge is dilapidated and can only be used thanks to renovations and measures such as a 30 km/h restriction. Politicians had already announced a new Danube crossing in 2015.