For now, Secretary Harbers says the only realistic option is to focus mainly on maintenance roads rather than building new roads. He spoke today in the House of Representatives about what is possible.
Harbers announced two weeks ago that most of the funds set aside to build new roads will be used for large-scale maintenance. This is mainly because very little can be built due to the nitrogen crisis.
There are many concerns in the legislature about the delay of new infrastructure construction, and the decision has sparked unrest in the states as well. For example, the provinces of Overijssel and Gelderland sent a letter to the cabinet asking them to adhere to previous agreements.
“Don’t leave money on the shelf”
The minister admitted that for the time being it was “not a dream” not to build new roads. But if the money spent on construction stayed on the shelf for years, he’d be even more pissed off. He also stressed that Rijkswaterstaat’s capacities will be underutilized and contractors will face financial problems.
Harbers also said that as projects have been delayed we have become more dependent on the state of existing infrastructure, so it’s good to pay special attention to maintenance now. And according to him, much less nitrogen is released during maintenance and renovation work.
He promised the House of Representatives to discuss full details of his plans with the states in the near future. On Wednesday, the Council of State will rule again in a case involving nitrogen. This is a ring road near Arnhem.
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
