Dutch road schemes approved

The Dutch government has approved a bill permitting two key road schemes – the Blankenburg link tunnel and an extension to the A15, worth a total of nearly €2 billion.

Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Infrastructure & Energy Minister, proposed the two ventures, which will involve levying a temporary road toll to fund the projects.

An extension to the A15 in the east of the Netherlands is designed to improve a valuable freight route to Germany. The Blankenburg link tunnel, which is between the A15 and A20, aims to enhance connections with the Rotterdam region.

The A15 extension, which has been projected to cost €840 million, is scheduled to open between 2019 and 2021.

Budgeted at €1.1 billion, the Blankenburg link is forecast to be commissioned between 2022 and 2024.