Heidemarie Sequence warns: Lobauautobahn endangers our environment!

Heidemarie Sequence warns: Lobauautobahn endangers our environment!

The 67th meeting of the Vienna City Council took place on April 11, 2025, in which Heidemarie sequence from the Greens expressed criticism of the planned Lobau motorway. She highlighted that many of the topics discussed contradict the Vienna Climate Roadmap. In her appeal, she called for the protection of ecosystems, as a third of the water surface in the Lower Lobau has already disappeared, which has serious effects on the flora and fauna. wien.gv.at reported that Sequence denounced the difference between the goals formulated in the climate roadmap and the current reality.

Sequence criticized the inaction of the authorities, who, despite existing studies and concepts, did not take any concrete measures to improve the situation in the Lower Lobau. A planned treatment plant has not been implemented, which increases concerns about the threat of contamination of drinking water wells. She emphasized that both the protection of the national park and the drinking water supply can be taken into account - a donation could help to secure groundwater. She also mentioned an open letter from the Nature Conservation Association that was addressed to the mayor and called for action.

Environmental assessments and recommendations

The final report of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which was presented on February 5, 2025, is in the context of the controversy surrounding the Lobauautobahn. The study, which was carried out by the Federal Environment Agency in collaboration with the Vienna University of Technology and the Graz University of Technology, recommends a clear no to the construction of the motorway. This makes it clear that the environmental impact, the high costs of an estimated 2.4 billion euros and the increase in traffic congestion in Vienna are unsustainable. lobau.org also states that the Lobau highway was identified as the most environmentally damaging and expensive option.

The critics, including Greenpeace and the WWF, are calling for an alternative to highway construction and warning of the ecological risks associated with the project. Greenpeace is pushing for the Lobauautobahn to be deleted from the Federal Highway Act and for alternative transport solutions to be developed. According to the sequence, the Lobau motorway is in direct conflict with the city's climate and transport strategies and could negatively influence the relationship between individual transport and CO2 emissions.

Climate goals at risk

Heidemarie Sequence reiterated the need to invest in environmentally friendly transport solutions. She recommended alternatives such as the S80, which is more efficient and capable of carrying more people than a highway. Their criticism was also directed at the city government, as many of its investments do not meet climate goals, while opposition proposals did not find a majority in the local council. This discussion underscores the current challenges facing the city: the balancing act between meeting infrastructure needs and climate protection.

In summary, it can be seen that the plans surrounding the Lobauautobahn are repeatedly coming under fire from both an environmental policy and a financial perspective. The results of the strategic environmental assessment should serve as a wake-up call to consider alternative, sustainable mobility concepts. bm.gv.at highlights that the SEA is a tool for taking environmental aspects into account over economic concerns. This objective is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of a society-wide rethinking of our transport and environmental management.