Dutch audit finds decades of neglect in infrastructure maintenance
The Algemene Rekenkamer warns that maintenance of the Netherlands' roads, waterways and railways has been postponed for decades, leading to growing safety gaps.
A recent advisory from the Algemene Rekenkamer criticises the Dutch ministry of Infrastructure and Waterstaat for consistently underfunding maintenance of roads, waterways and rail lines. The audit notes that as early as 1997 the ministry recognised insufficient spending on upkeep, yet new projects remained the focus. Rijkswaterstaat and ProRail have previously disclosed maintenance deficits amounting to billions of euros.
The audit shows that deferred maintenance has more than doubled since 2016, and the share of infrastructure failing to meet safety standards has increased, leading to imposed limits on multiple bridges. The findings call for a shift in budgeting priorities to address the growing backlog.
