Minister Harbers for Infrastructure and Water Management has decided to suspend a number of road and waterway projects due to the nitrogen problem. A total of 14 road projects and 3 waterway projects are on hold. This is an amount of over 4 billion euros.
Due to nitrogen problems, rising construction prices and labor shortages, many construction projects cannot be completed in the short term. The money and manpower are then spent on a major overhaul of the existing infrastructure, which is partly outdated and in need of major maintenance or replacement.
This includes improving traffic flow at the Rottepolderplein and Hoevelaken junctions, widening the A58 between Eindhoven and Tilburg and the A27 between Zeewolde and Eemnes, and works on the IJsselmeer-Meppel waterway. There are fourteen roads and three streams in total.
Projects that make N-roads safer are excluded. The projects that will allow the accessibility of 400,000 homes that will be built up to and including 2030 will also continue. For Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure) it seems “much double”. He finds it “disappointing” that the projects don’t go ahead, but “on the other hand, we also see that it’s not possible in the short term”.
“This feels very double”
The money is also being transferred to projects that can be built or are subject to a court order to ensure they are built. In recent weeks, discussions have taken place with the provinces on which projects will be suspended, also because many projects provide for co-financing.
Nitrogen problems, price increases and staff shortages
Several construction projects have been delayed for a few years due to the nitrogen problem. Rising prices in the construction sector and shortages on the labor market have also made it more difficult to carry out projects in recent times. Furthermore, there are not enough funds to carry out the necessary major maintenance works, such as the replacement and renovation of bridges. This major maintenance is necessary to keep our infrastructure throughout the Netherlands in good condition for the next decades.
That is why Minister Harbers decided at the end of March to shift money and manpower within the construction program and from construction projects to major infrastructure maintenance. In recent weeks, consultations have been held with the provinces on which projects will be suspended.
The ministry is implementing the construction program in consultation and co-financing with the regional authorities. Road safety projects have been made possible in advance on national roads not affected by nitrogen problems (for this 200 million euros have been made available in the coalition agreement), projects for the accessibility of 400,000 new homes to be built by 2030 (for this purpose, 7.5 million euros have been made available for this purpose (billions made available in the coalition agreement) and projects under construction, licensed or pending proceedings are excluded.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
