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Dutch Government Halts New Road and Railway Projects Amid Nitrogen Crisis

Dutch Government Halts New Road and Railway Projects Amid Nitrogen Crisis
foto: Archive/Dutch Government Halts New Road and Railway Projects Amid Nitrogen Crisis
24 / 03 / 2023

According to the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Mark Herbers, the Dutch government has cancelled all plans to build new roads and railway lines in the Netherlands. The reasons are supposed to be the nitrogen crisis, a lack of employees, and rising prices.

The construction of new railway lines is not in sight in the short term. The funds will currently be used to restore roads, bridges, viaducts, and locks. Even though the Dutch government allocated EUR 7.5 billion for new roads, railways, and cycle paths in the coalition agreement, new construction projects will not be implemented yet. Only projects that have already started or those that have already received permission will be continued.

Albert Baas, the spokesman for the railway infrastructure of the Netherlands, ProRail, said that currently, a big problem during the construction of railways is the excessive release of nitrogen; therefore, it is necessary to introduce electrical equipment into new projects.

Tagy