News item | 23-06-2023 | 2:30 pm
Minister Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management has decided to put a number of road and waterway projects on hold. Money and manpower from these projects from the construction program (MIRT) will be spent in the coming years on major maintenance of the infrastructure and projects that are at an advanced stage or are under judicial review. Due to nitrogen problems, rising prices in the construction industry and shortages on the labor market, a number of construction projects cannot be carried out in the short term. The money and manpower are therefore spent on a major overhaul of the existing infrastructure, which is partly outdated and in need of major maintenance or replacement. Money is also shifted to projects that can be built or are under court order to ensure implementation. In recent weeks, discussions have taken place with the provinces about which projects will be paused, partly because many projects involve co-financing.
Nitrogen problems, rising prices and staff shortages
A number of construction projects have been experiencing delays for a few years due to the nitrogen problem. Rising prices in construction and shortages on the labor market have also made it more difficult to carry out projects in recent times. In addition, there is insufficient money to carry out the necessary major maintenance, such as the replacement and renovation of bridges. This major maintenance is necessary to keep our infrastructure throughout the Netherlands in good condition in the coming 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 about which projects will be paused. The ministry is implementing the construction program in consultation and co-financing with the regional authorities. In advance, road safety projects on national roads that are not affected by nitrogen problems (200 million euros have been made available for this in the coalition agreement), projects for the accessibility of 400,000 new homes to be built until 2030 were made possible (for this purpose 7.5 million euros have been made available for this purpose). billion made available in the coalition agreement) and projects that are being built, have been licensed or are under court are excluded. A total of 14 road projects and 3 waterway projects are paused. This concerns an amount of more than 4 billion euros.
Minister Harbers: “This feels very mixed. It is disappointing because we find these projects necessary and want to build them. On the other hand, we also see that it is not possible in the short term. This decision is also positive, because we can now spend the money on much-needed maintenance and not leave it on the shelf. This is what we can do now and we are therefore going to work hard with the major maintenance service! In this way we ensure that the Netherlands remains accessible and we can continue to go to work and family, and it also ensures that the parcel deliverer is at the door on time and supermarkets can be supplied.”
Growing need for mobility
The need for mobility will grow in the coming years. The number of inhabitants of the Netherlands is growing and the pressure on the existing infrastructure is therefore growing. Many of our bridges, viaducts and locks are aging and in need of replacement or major maintenance. Many bridges are also coming to the end of their useful life prematurely due to the increasingly intensive and heavy traffic. The infrastructure we have must be put in order so that we can build on it later. The projects that are paused remain in the construction program and the aim is to start construction as soon as possible if there is enough nitrogen space, money and personnel.
o N35 Wijthmen – Nijverdal
o A9 Rottepolderplein
o A58 Breda – Tilburg
o A27 Zeewolde – Eemnes
o A15 Papendrecht – Gorinchem
o A2 Deil – ‘s-Hertogenbosch – Vught
o Government contribution Northern Randweg Utrecht (NRU)
o InnovA58 Annabosch – Galder
o Innovations InnovA58*
o A67 Leenderheide – Geldrop
o A1/A35 Junction Azelo – Buren
o A1/A30 Barneveld
o A4 Haaglanden – N14
o A1/A28 Hoevelaken junction
o Volkerak locks
o Kreekrak locks
o Waterway IJsselmeer – Meppel
* This is not a MIRT project, but concerns a reservation of € 59 million for covering innovation risks in the tender of InnovA58.