Hejtman of South Moravia: traffic collapse is threatened in the north-south direction

Brno - Entrepreneurs, trade unionists, and representatives of the South Moravian Region are worried about a traffic collapse in southern Moravia. They claim that a crisis is expected in the direction from north to south by 2009 at the latest. According to politicians and entrepreneurs, traffic problems would be resolved by the construction of the R52 road, which is intended to complete the highway connection between Brno and Vienna, and the R43 from Brno to Svitavy. However, the government does not expect to allocate funds for the projects before 2013, said South Moravian Governor Stanislav Juránek to reporters yesterday.
"We are the last country that borders Austria and does not have a highway connection with it. The Austrians are going to complete the highway and are warning us about it. They say, calculate how many cars and how much increase this will mean at our borders," stated the governor.
According to him, the Austrians plan to complete the highway from Vienna to the borders by 2013. Currently, substantial construction is underway along the route. However, the governor added that some sections on the Austrian side should begin to be used by motorists in 2009. Therefore, politicians fear that southern Moravia is at risk of traffic jams.
Although Austria will not receive European funds for the construction, this will not change their plans, the governor stated.
Regional politicians intend to pressure the government through allied MPs and senators. In the coming days, they will allegedly receive a letter from the region, trade unionists, and entrepreneurs, grouped in the Economic and Social Agreement Council. "They will be asked to fight for southern Moravia in this matter," Juránek stated.
Work was originally supposed to begin on both planned constructions, but the preparation for the construction has been delayed, among other things, by protests from environmental organizations and civic associations. They are concerned that four-lane roads could damage the landscape and the environment where people live.
The region also called on the government to sign an intergovernmental agreement with the Austrian side. The document should supposedly commit to the construction of the R52 road. "We do not have a response yet," the governor said.