Funding for the Preservation of the Rural Road Network

Funding for the Preservation of the Rural Road Network in Lower Austria
This funding program by the Lower Austrian State Government supports public institutions as well as private applicants who are obligated to maintain and renew the rural road network. Eligible measures include construction activities such as the maintenance and renewal of road surfaces, reinforcement of the load-bearing structure, grading and rolling of gravel surfaces, as well as the rehabilitation of ancillary facilities (ditches, piping, bridges), including the use of machinery with operators. Expenses for snow and ice removal are excluded. A prerequisite for funding is that the road is located on public property or private property without usage restrictions and is structurally suitable for at least car traffic. The funding rate varies between 20% and 60% depending on the project and applicant, with private maintenance obligors always eligible for 60% funding.

Application Procedure and Deadlines
To be included in the annual maintenance program for the following year, the funding application along with declarations of commitment and cost estimates must be submitted by September 30 of each year to the Lower Austrian Agricultural District Authority – Department for Goods Roads. From September 29, 2025, the program is valid indefinitely. Decisions are made based on evaluation criteria such as the length of goods roads per inhabitant, the financial capacity of the municipality, regional characteristics (disadvantaged or mountainous areas), and wind turbine density. The goal is to ensure the long-term functionality, safety, and usability of the rural road network. Interested municipalities, goods road communities, associations, and individual enterprises can thus sustainably strengthen and preserve their local infrastructure.