Almost 190 municipalities, all provinces and two water boards together receive 165 million euros for tackling dangerous intersections, cycle paths, roads and roundabouts. Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) wrote this in a letter to the Lower House today.
From July 1 to September 1, local and regional authorities could apply for a government grant to make the infrastructure safer. The cabinet has made half a billion euros available to local authorities for the next ten years to tackle dangerous traffic situations. A condition for this is that the provinces, municipality and water boards invest the same amount. In this way, a total of one billion euros extra will be made available for improving road safety. The 165 million euros that are now being awarded is part of the 200 million euros that is available from the government for 2020 and 2021.
Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen: 'There was great enthusiasm among municipalities, provinces and water boards. Very good plans have been submitted to our ministry. We use the national doubler. In this way, people at the local and regional authorities can now quickly get to work to tackle that dangerous intersection or that too narrow cycle path. This will really make a difference and ensure fewer accidents on those roads and cycle paths. '
Measures that qualify for a government grant include the construction of speed bumps, road narrows, safe roadsides and separate cycle paths. Money will also be spent on widening cycle paths and converting unclear intersections into roundabouts. In addition, thirty municipalities have received money for the establishment of safe school zones. This reports the National government through this message on their website.
About two-thirds of the measures for which a government grant has now been paid will be implemented within a year.
