The extension of the ‘city river’ Nieuwe Mark through the center of Breda will start before the summer. The multimillion-dollar project – 25 million euros has been earmarked for it – will eventually connect the harbor west of the center with the canal south of the city. The municipality announced on Tuesday that contractor FL from Hilvarenbeek will carry out the construction.
Cycling and walking paths will lead to the city center along the water, and apartments and catering establishments will be built. There will also be more greenery in the city center around the city river. For example, the former barracks area on Fellenoordstraat is being converted into a second city park.
First, the existing Nieuwe Mark from the Tolbrug to the Karnemelkstraat will be overhauled. This section should be ready by the end of 2024. In 2025, the contract will be awarded for the final connection between the Markendaalseweg and the canal through the center. At this last stretch, part of the city river still has to be excavated.
In 2018, the municipality of Breda revealed the plans in this video:
Alderman Tim van het Hof is enthusiastic “De Nieuwe Mark will further embellish the face of our city center. Imagine: the water will soon flow through the city again. You can sail with a boat or take a nice walk along. And thanks to a European contribution, we will also have beautiful green quays and quay walls along the water.”
Alderman Daan Quaars expects the work to cause traffic nuisance in the coming years: “But we want to ensure that homes, shops and companies remain as accessible as possible during the work.”