This paper discusess road construction in the reunified germany within a wider context. It considers: German transport policy, the German economy and transport, the development and status of the Germn road network, the Federal Traffic Infrastructure Plan 1992, the Reguirement Plan for Federal trunk Roads, the Five-Year Plan for Federal trunk Road Improvements 1993-97 plu plans for a supplementary period until 2000, and the financial planning pf German transport.

A comprehensive forecast for all transport sectors until 2010 predicted that: east-west road traffic would increase sharply and traffic on other federal roads would also increase.

The Requirement Plan for Federal trunk Roads divides its projects into those of first and second priority. There is a special need to upgrade the road network of the former German Democratic republic (East Germany). Tables give data about: the evolution of German road networks from 1951 to 1993, first priority projects for Federal trunk roads and their costs and development of motorways.

The 1993-97 Five-Year Plan focuses investments on motorway extensions. The costs shares of various types of roads works are tabulated.