Last year, the state paid an average of 100,000 euros per study carried out as part of a construction or infrastructure project.

This includes environmental analyses, geotechnical studies or studies on the statics of bridges, Minister for Mobility Yuriko Backes said in response to a parliamentary question.

The costs rose sharply over the past years: In previous years, a study cost between 73,000 and 80,000 euros to produce. Between 2022 and 2023 alone, the total increase amounted to 10 million euros.

How are external offices chosen for these studies?
If the scope of a project allows it, as is often the case with the redevelopment of roads, construction of roundabouts, cycle paths or intersections, the National Roads Administration carries out these studies internally.

For more complex projects, including environmental and static studies (with a recent emerging field being archaeological excavations), certified offices with expertise in that field are commissioned.