Bundesverwaltungsgericht reviews A445 motorway construction in North Rhine-Westphalia

The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig is reviewing the planned construction of the A445 motorway in North Rhine-Westphalia. The legal dispute focuses on the planning approval decision by the Arnsberg District Government for an eight-kilometer section intended to connect the A2 motorway near Hamm with the A44 near Werl.

The project aims to relieve traffic on the heavily used Bundesstraße 63. However, a local resident and the State Community for Nature and Environment NRW have filed lawsuits to overturn or revise the approval. The plaintiffs allege violations of water, environmental, nature conservation, climate protection, and noise protection laws. Additionally, the resident has raised concerns regarding land expropriation involving approximately 50 hectares of leased land.

A central point of contention involves water rights and the impact on groundwater and five local streams. Specifically, the construction would require the Bewerbach stream in Hamm to be diverted through pipes for a length of 75 meters. While the Autobahn GmbH considers this impact minor, plaintiffs argue it could cause long-term ecological damage. A verdict is expected to be announced on October 7.