Dutch cabinet plans €18bn infrastructure investment, with projects put on hold

The Dutch government plans to spend an additional €18 billion on maintaining and renewing roads, bridges, railways and water infrastructure, while putting a number of projects on hold. The package is intended to address ageing infrastructure and prioritises safety and preservation, the government says. [1]

The cabinet approved plans on Friday from Infrastructure Minister Vincent Karremans and State Secretary Annet Bertram. The government says ageing infrastructure is causing disruptions and defects that damage the economy. [1]

One of the largest investments is €2.3 billion to renew the Spui and pumping-station complex at IJmuiden. The facility helps keep dry an area where four million people live, and its technical condition is described in the report as highly vulnerable. [1]

Funding also includes nearly €1.9 billion for rail signalling, more than €2 billion for the Nedersaksenlijn, and an extra €635 million for the Eindhoven Brainport area, bringing its total to more than €1 billion. Ten viaducts on the high-speed rail line are to be repaired so trains can later run at up to 300 kilometres per hour. [1]

The plans set aside nearly €5 billion over eight years for management and maintenance. A further €2.4 billion is earmarked to cover cost overruns on ongoing infrastructure projects, including €400 million extra for Amsterdam’s Zuidasdok. The government also hopes to save €2.3 billion on projects. [1]

The reprioritisation leaves some schemes without funding. These include the Kornwerderzand lock complex and improvements to access to Ameland. Funding for parts of the Delta Programme for Freshwater, which aims to prevent drought, will also be cut. Projects paused because of nitrogen-related restrictions, including the Hoevelaken junction, will need to find funding again if the nitrogen crisis is resolved. [1]