Madsen wants more construction sites - Construction industry pushes for speed - Schleswig-Holstein fast-tracks €550M infrastructure overhaul to slash delays

Schleswig-Holstein is pushing to accelerate major infrastructure projects following a meeting between Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen and key construction firms. The state plans to allocate €550 million from federal funds to upgrade roads, rail, ports, and waterways. Industry leaders have welcomed proposed reforms aimed at reducing delays in planning and permitting.

Currently, permitting and planning consume nearly 85% of construction time, leaving only 15% for actual building, according to Hans Wessels, Technical Director at Strabag. Minister Madsen wants to change this by fast-tracking projects through the federal government's debt-financed special asset programme.

One proposed reform is the use of functional tenders, where construction firms handle planning, cost estimation, and building for a fixed price. This approach aims to reduce billing disputes and delays. Helmut Renze, Deputy CEO of Johann Bunte, supports these changes, describing the meeting with Madsen as constructive.

Madsen has also urged citizens to be patient as construction sites ramp up. He emphasised the need to prioritise starting projects quickly. Industry representatives from Strabag and Johann Bunte agreed that faster completion is achievable with the right reforms.

The state government and construction sector are now collaborating to implement these changes. With €550 million allocated, the focus is on reducing bureaucracy and commencing projects sooner. If successful, the reforms could establish a new standard for infrastructure development in the region.