The national government and the Utrecht Metropolitan Area are jointly investing more than 1,4 billion euros for the accessibility of new residential areas.
The government and the Utrecht Metropolitan Area are jointly investing more than 1,4 billion euros for the accessibility of new residential areas. The government contribution is approximately 930 million euros, that of the region approximately 475 million. The investment goes to the construction of a partly underground tram line between Utrecht Central and Nieuwegein, the Merwedelijn, and for the opening up of the railway zone and A1 zone in Amersfoort. The government is also making 100 million euros available for traffic measures on Utrecht's motorways and for accelerating existing housing plans throughout the province. These investments are an important condition for the construction of 54.000 homes up to and including 2030 and 50.000 homes after 2030.
“As a board, we are very pleased that the province of Utrecht and the municipalities within it have received almost 1 billion euros from the government for mobility measures. As a result, we can invest heavily in much stronger public transport, in the bicycle network and, for example, in widening the Rhine bridge between the province of Utrecht and the province of Gelderland. That is good news for our residents and also for anyone looking for a home, because these investments are intended to make new residential areas accessible. We are not there yet, but look forward to further cooperation with the government to allow the province of Utrecht to grow in a healthy and green way.”
Tackling housing shortages in a fast-growing region
For every resident of the province of Utrecht To create suitable and affordable housing, the construction of 54.000 new homes by 2030 is of the utmost importance. That is why it has been agreed with the government to build 25.500 new homes in Utrecht and Nieuwegein in Groot Merwede and 8.500 in Amersfoort. The remaining homes will be built across the province.
“With the investments of the national government and the Utrecht Metropolitan Area, we are taking a decisive first step in improving the public transport system in our region. Improvements that are desperately needed to grow responsibly as a region and that will benefit tens of thousands of home seekers and travelers in the long term. It is good news that the government recognizes the need for this and is making a substantial contribution to it.”
Major step forward for Utrecht public transport and accessibility of Amersfoort
The government has reserved a total of 7,5 billion euros for improving the accessibility of the major housing locations throughout the Netherlands. Joint research by the national government and the region has shown that a partly underground Merwede line contributes most to the accessibility of the new homes in Utrecht and Nieuwegein. This new tram line is part of a cohesive public transport package for which the national government reserves 810 million euros and the province and municipalities 415 million euros, together more than 1,2 billion euros. “This is a huge step towards the arrival of the Merwedelijn, but we are not there yet. The costs of Merwedelijn are currently estimated at €1,3 to €1,5 billion. After follow-up research, next year we will know more precisely what the measures should look like and how much money is needed for their implementation," says deputy Van Essen.
The government is investing more than 95 million euros in Amersfoort, while the region is reserving 67 million euros. The majority goes to improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, shared means of transport and public transport. These make it possible to realize 2030 homes in the Spoorzone and the A8.500 zone up to and including 1. To keep these neighborhoods livable and accessible, for example, thousands of extra bicycle parking spaces will be created at public transport hubs Amersfoort Centraal and Amersfoort Schothorst and an access road for Vathorst-Bovenduist.
Next steps
The realization of the accessibility measures will be further prepared in the coming year. There will also be research into the area development of the A12 zone and Rijnenburg, the rail accessibility of Amersfoort and the approach to the Hoevelaken junction. The national government and the Utrecht Metropolitan Area will also discuss other preconditions such as green areas, the reduction of nitrogen and the expansion of the energy network.
