Empty stands are seen at the closed Christmas Market in front of the Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria on November 22, 2021, as the country returned to a nationwide partial lockdown during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Austria is also imposing a sweeping vaccine mandate starting February 1. Photo: AFP

The Austrian government announced on Wednesday that it has halted several highway construction projects, an initiative by the Greens, a junior coalition partner, to fight climate change.

The environment ministry, headed by Greens politician Leonore Gewessler, earlier in 2021 launched a review of all new road construction plans by giant Asfinag, raising tensions within the coalition led by the conservatives.

Among those ordered stopped on Wednesday is a planned 8-kilometer highway tunnel under part of the Lobau national park to ease traffic flow east of Vienna.

The project has led to protests and legal filings to prevent its construction.

"The fight against the climate crisis is our historic duty... More roads mean more cars, more traffic," Gewessler told a press conference.

Gewessler added that the government was open to work with Asfinag and other stakeholders to find alternatives to the canceled projects and ensure mobility.

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig said the city would study the ministry's decision, insisting the Lobau highway tunnel would not endanger the national park and was essential to ease traffic and connect the capital's outskirts.

AFP