Houses would have to make way The first highway in Germany is to have ten lanes

The first ten-lane highway is to be built in the German state of Hesse. Critics warn of excessive noise and environmental damage.

The notoriously congested freeways of Los Angeles are not exactly attractive to Justin Geistefeldt, a transportation scientist at Ruhr University Bochum, as he tells Der Spiegel. Germany has so far been spared such conditions thanks to its passable public transport system and compactly built cities. Nevertheless, Geistefeldt supports a controversial project in Hesse known as the "Los Angeles Highway": the expansion of the A5 near Frankfurt, Germany's busiest route, from the current six or eight to ten lanes.

A feasibility study co-authored by Geistefeldt argues that this expansion is necessary to cope with the 200,000 vehicles a day expected by 2030. However, several houses and gardens that are already directly adjacent to the noise barrier would have to make way for a freeway more than 50 meters wide.

Critics such as Hans Christoph Stoodt from the citizens' initiative "It's too loud" consider the project to be "crazy". Stoodt, who lives near the freeway, emphasizes the excessive noise and environmental damage it would cause. The expansion would also have an impact on protected drinking water and bird sanctuaries and increase CO₂ emissions.

Legal dispute over publication of the study

A legal dispute led to the publication of the feasibility study, which had previously been kept secret. Although the study acknowledges significant environmental and housing problems, it does not classify these as insurmountable obstacles to the expansion.

The city of Frankfurt reacted with "considerable incomprehension and annoyance" and rejected the expansion in the city parliament. However, the decision lies with the federally owned Autobahn GmbH and the pro-expansion Federal Ministry of Transport.

Frankfurt's Lord Mayor Mike Josef is planning a new district for 17,000 people near the A5. Wider roads and higher noise barriers would impede air circulation and exacerbate the summer heat.

Noise-reducing covers over the highway

Despite concerns, the study suggests that a ten-lane A5 could relieve urban traffic by diverting vehicles onto the highway. Historically, however, more lanes lead to more traffic, as a London study shows, where additional lanes were quickly filled to capacity.

Justin Geistefeldt admits in Der Spiegel that additional traffic is unavoidable. However, he emphasizes the economic necessity of the A5 expansion and sees it as sustainable, as future vehicles will be electric and quieter. Noise-reducing covers over the highway could also reduce noise and create usable space.

However, opposition from citizens remains strong. Many hope that financial restrictions could stop the project, as the estimated cost of 1.1 billion euros does not even include the noise protection covers. And Hans Christoph Stoodt argues that the money should be invested in local public transport, which would reduce the need to expand the A5.

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