Dutch government and regions agree next steps for transport projects

The Dutch government and regional authorities have agreed the next steps for several transport schemes, including a new tram line near Utrecht and two stations on the railway between Leiden and Dordrecht. The agreements move some projects into detailed planning, while setting out how €355 million for transport links to four major housing areas will be divided.

The Merwedelijn, a fast and frequent tram route, can now proceed to the planning stage, expected to take about four years. The line is intended to support the development of 35,000 homes in Groot Merwede and ease pressure on Utrecht Central station.

On the Oude Lijn, the railway between Leiden and Dordrecht, the parties agreed to build stations at Rijswijk Buiten and Dordrecht Leerpark and improve four existing hubs: Leiden Central, The Hague Laan van NOI, Schiedam Centrum and Dordrecht. The work is intended to support around 170,000 homes.

The housing-area transport fund will be split between Alkmaars Kanaal (€82 million), Apeldoorn BSK (€73 million), Helmond Centrum+ (€94 million) and Spoorzone Hengelo-Enschede (€104 million). Together, the four areas are expected to accommodate 29,000 homes.

The agreements follow the cabinet’s October announcement of an additional €18 billion for maintaining and renewing roads, bridges, railways and water infrastructure. The government says it is prioritising maintenance and renewal, meaning not every planned project can proceed at once. Regional authorities and ministers have also discussed paused schemes, including widening the Kornwerderzand lock and the A28 between Amersfoort and Hoogeveen.

Other projects identified for progress include the A20 between Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel and Gouda, which has been allocated an extra €262 million, and the N35 Wijthmen-Nijverdal, for which the national government has reserved €115 million and the region €100 million. A preferred decision on the N35 scheme is expected soon.

On the Veluwelijn, between Amersfoort and Harderwijk, planners will develop one option for a passing track just outside Harderwijk, alongside level-crossing measures and possible longer platforms. The ambition is to run two additional trains an hour.

The transport ministry is also contributing €24 million towards 19 regional cycling routes. The government says more than 1,000 kilometres of such routes already exist and aims to double that total by 2030.