BERLIN, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The German government is debating whether to sell its Autobahns and introduce a toll for car drivers.
Soon-to-be Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck suggested the sale earlier his week; the Social Democrat minister has the difficult job of balancing Germany's budget, a Herculean task in light of a federal deficit of $1.77 trillion.
Apart from the privatization of the Autobahn, German ministers have indicated they would introduce a toll for private car drivers. While truck drivers already have to pay a toll on the Autobahn, car drivers are helping finance road construction via Germany's gas tax. Supporters of a toll, which could come in the form of an annual fee of 100 euros ($120), said that gas taxes would have to be lowered in return.
Analysts are divided over just how much the Autobahn, an international synonym for "speeding through Germany," is expected to sell for.
The Statistische Bundesamt, a federal agency, estimates the value of the Autobahn system at roughly $63 billion. Private analysts, however, say the system is worth much more: According to information published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on Friday, two private consultants said the sale could bring between $120 billion and $150 billion.
