Residents Demand Noise Reduction as A22 Expansion Stalls
Residents near the A22 highway in Stockerau face ongoing noise pollution, with some homes just 70 meters from the route. Despite extensive planning and a citizen petition, noise reduction measures have not been implemented. The Ministry of Transport has not addressed the issue, focusing instead on the necessity of the A22 expansion for safety reasons.
The A22 expansion, planned to alleviate traffic congestion, has not begun despite years of discussion. Asfinag, the Austrian motorway operator, plans to construct noise protection walls up to 13 meters high on the city side of the A22. However, these measures are not part of the current six-year construction program.
The Stockerauer Au, a protected area, is also affected by the A22's noise. A citizen initiative collected 1,413 signatures demanding noise reduction before the expansion. However, the Ministry of Transport has not addressed the noise issue, despite the petition and the requirements of the Road Traffic Act. The next maintenance measures for the A22 are not scheduled for about a decade.
With the A22 expansion necessary for safety reasons, according to the Ministry of Transport, residents await noise reduction measures. Frustration is high among citizens due to the lack of progress in addressing the noise issue. Asfinag's plans for noise protection walls remain unconfirmed, and the Ministry of Transport has not provided a timeline for addressing the concerns of Stockerau residents.
