Brinek:Who is responsible for the construction of a safe crossing for pedestrians on the federal highway?

Altenmarkt: Who is responsible for the construction of a safe crossing for pedestrians on the federal highway? Ombudswoman Gertrude Brinek asks for a solution adapted to the needs of disabled persons

ORF-Series "Bürgeranwalt" (“Advocate for People”) – Broadcast of December 20th 2008

The ASFINAG (the Financing Corporation for Motorways and Highways) and the state of Salzburg are fighting an unbelievable dispute over areas of responsibility. None of them wants to take responsibility for the construction of a safe crossing on the federal highway. A restaurant at the border of Altenmarkt can only be reached through an underground passage, which is completely desolate and is unusable by disabled people. The unacceptable alternative would be for guests to cross, at their own risk, the busy road.

The underground passage that was built by the Tauernautobahn Corporation in the 70’s is out of repair, very dirty and unfit to be used by physically disabled people. On the other hand crossing the very busy highway could be a life threatening undertaking for the guests of the restaurant.

The restaurant owner was seriously concerned for the safety of his guests and the future of his business and asked the Ombudsman Board for help.

Ombudswoman Gertrude Brinek said on the matter that “a renovation of the existing underground passage was not suitable as the needs of disabled guests or parents with baby carriages would once again not have been met.” The dispute over the question of responsibility is inadmissible and the problem asks for a rapid solution, for instance by installing a traffic light operated by pedestrians.

In the course of the discussion during the ORF broadcast “Bürgeranwalt” the competent Regional Building Director announced that a sensible solution would be worked out during 2009. The speed of implementation will depend in his opinion on which alternative is chosen.