Despite a deficit of hundreds of millions, Zuidasdok is continuing to build two traffic tunnels. The design and construction of the tunnels were approved on Tuesday. Construction is due to begin in 2027.

The two traffic tunnels should take the A10 underground in both directions at the South Station, from the north side and from the south side. This will create more space above ground for the station to be expanded. It should also ensure less noise pollution to the environment.

The prize for both tunnels was staggering. Last month, the city council wrote that there was only enough money to dig the tunnels for the southern section. “Since there is currently no sufficient budget, no order for the construction of the northern tunnel can be issued,” councillor Reinier van Dantzig wrote. “A decision on the implementation and financing of the northern tunnel will have to be made at a later date.”

895 million euros

However, the design and construction of both the north and south tunnels has now been awarded for €895 million to the construction group Van Hattum & Blankevoort, part of VolkerWessels. This amount is based on the price level in January 2023.

The construction of the northern and southern tunnels will be awarded in one go, but will be commissioned in parts. The decision on the construction of the northern tunnel should be taken no later than the second half of 2025.

budget deficit

It remains to be seen whether the North Tunnel will eventually be completed. The project still faces a budget deficit of between €600 million and €800 million. No agreement has yet been reached between the municipality and the government on who will pay for the costs.

Last December, the city council threatened to stop paying Zuidasdok if the government did not provide enough money to extend the north/south line. The total costs of Zuidasdok have now risen to $4.7 billion.