The Dutch government will no longer help pay to expand capacity on the metro network between The Hague and Rotterdam or on RandstadRail.
Infrastructure Minister Vincent Karremans has scrapped the ministry’s planned €270 million contribution, saying it is billions of euros short for maintaining and renewing the country’s infrastructure.
The plan would have brought a metro every five minutes between the two cities, with new metro trains, upgraded signalling and longer trams on lines 2, 3 and 4.
Other projects continue
Projects that do go ahead include maintenance of the Algerabrug in Krimpen aan den IJssel and the Sytwendetunnel in Leidschendam and The Hague, and new lighting on the A4 at The Hague.
Karremans is also putting money into widening the A20 near Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel and Gouda from two lanes to three.
South Holland, Zeeland and the Rotterdam The Hague Metropolitan Region say they had hoped for more long-term vision, and that dozens of bridges and tunnels in the region are in worrying condition.
They also argue new projects are needed, with the southwest expected to grow by half a million people in the coming years, and will discuss the investments with the government.
