The plans for two agricultural tunnels along the N375 near Gijsselte and Berghuizen are much more expensive than expected. According to alderman Mark Turksma, an additional 5.9 million must be invested to complete the project.
Initially it was estimated that the tunnels would cost about 4.1 million euros. Due to price increases, this is now considerably more, and the municipality is looking at a total amount of around ten million euros. Turksma therefore wants to discuss the new situation with the city council soon. “Because this alderman does not think it is wise to just go through additional credit.”
He broke the news while discussing the budget Thursday evening. The amount could be even higher, he said. “We are still basing this on last year’s price level. An increase is therefore possible.”
It was previously agreed that the province would pay for sixty percent of the construction. Turksma says that she has now been in contact with deputy Nelleke Vedelaar of the province of Drenthe. He wants to know whether the province will continue to cover that sixty percent if De Wolden opts for a different interpretation of the project.
He got that promise. Although it remains to be seen whether the province will invest millions more. “But we can now calculate what all the options, including the alternatives, cost. We will go to the council next year. They have to make a decision.”
The construction of the tunnels should provide more safety along N375. They are being constructed so that agricultural traffic can pass underneath. Residents of Gijsselterweg in Ruinen fear that the construction of a tunnel will lead to cut-through traffic between Ruinen and Hoogeveen. The group said it did not agree with the plans. The province chose to continue the project anyway.