The Hessian Administrative Court has allowed tree clearing for the construction of the Riederwald tunnel in Frankfurt, dismissing a citizens' initiative's appeal to halt the project despite the discovery of the protected Heldbock beetle in the area.
The construction of the Riederwald tunnel in eastern Frankfurt is set to proceed, as the Hessian Administrative Court has ruled in favor of allowing the clearance of trees in the area. This decision came after a citizens' initiative attempted to halt the construction citing the presence of the protected Heldbock beetle in the Fechenheimer forest. The court's ruling dismissed their urgent application against the execution of the permit needed for the project, emphasizing that the decision is final and cannot be appealed.
The Riederwald tunnel is part of a larger infrastructure project aimed at closing a gap in the A66 highway, connecting the end of the highway at the Hessen Center with the Frankfurt eastern bypass, A661. The project includes a 1.1-kilometer tunnel, which has sparked significant debate and protests from local residents concerned about environmental impacts, particularly related to local wildlife and greenery.
Despite the concerns raised by the citizens' initiative, which highlighted environmental protection issues under the Federal Nature Conservation Act, the court emphasized the legal validity of the project's permits. The ruling reflects a tension between infrastructure development and environmental conservation, an issue increasingly present in discussions about urban development in Germany.
