Radeburg Bridge: Symbol of Germany's Wasteful Public Spending
In Saxony, a bridge in Radeburg stands idle, costing 900,000 euros but serving no purpose due to lack of funds for the overall highway project. Meanwhile, in Baden-Württemberg, Kirchberg an der Murr has spent 40,000 euros to relocate bats from an old community hall, delaying demolition until 2027/2028. The Federation of Taxpayers' 'Black Book' 2025/26 highlights 100 instances of wasteful public spending.
The Radeburg bridge was constructed as part of a planned highway connection but now sits unused due to insufficient funds for the entire project. The city of Koblenz is exploring the conversion of its sewage sludge disposal plant to incineration, while Baden-Baden defends its bike street project, claiming it enhanced cyclist safety despite low acceptance. The 'Public Waste 2025/26' report warns of potential fiscal traps from unsecured follow-up costs, citing the partially operational sewage sludge disposal plant in Koblenz as an example. The Federation of Taxpayers criticizes the excessive subsidy policy for the insolvent battery plus factory in Heide, which received around 600 million euros from the state-owned promotional bank KfW. However, a U.S. company, Lyten from San Jose, California, is interested in acquiring Northvolt's battery factory in Schleswig-Holstein, with the acquisition expected to be completed by the end of October 2025.
The Radeburg bridge and Koblenz's sewage sludge disposal plant serve as reminders of the importance of securing funds for entire projects before commencement. The Federation of Taxpayers' 'Black Book' underscores the need for fiscal responsibility, while the potential acquisition of Northvolt's battery factory by Lyten offers hope for a new beginning.
