German Counties Propose New Highway Toll to Fund Infrastructure Repairs

The plan suggests a €100 annual fee for drivers, aiming to reduce reliance on debt for critical road renovations.

The Baden-Württemberg Landkreistag has proposed a €100 annual highway toll, modeled after Switzerland's system, to finance repairs of deteriorating roads.
The toll revenue would be allocated exclusively to the federal highway authority for infrastructure improvements.
Critics argue against the reliance on debt, as the proposed €500 billion federal infrastructure investment plan requires constitutional amendments and significant borrowing.
The Landkreistag emphasizes the need for fair burden-sharing across generations to avoid placing excessive financial strain on younger citizens.
Germany's previous attempt at a highway toll in 2019 failed after being deemed discriminatory by the European Court of Justice, costing taxpayers €243 million in damages.