advertentieLandowners of the future residential area Rijnenburg (united in the Consortium Landowners Rijnenburg) are investing 200 million euros in the Merwede Line. This future high-quality public transport connection between Utrecht Central, Groot Merwede, and the Rijnenburg polder is essential to unlock the largest housing construction site in the Netherlands. This is the first time in the Netherlands that public and private parties are collaborating to make the realization of a fast tram line possible.
The Merwede Line will be constructed in two phases. The first phase extends to Nieuwegein. The second phase involves a branch to Rijnenburg. By extending the Merwede Line to Rijnenburg, the construction of 20,000 to 25,000 additional homes will be made possible. The landowners are also investing in this second phase of the Merwede Line. The agreements and conditions of the investment will be further elaborated in an agreement in the coming period.
‘Utrecht is a residential magnet’
Esther Agricola, regional director BPD North-West, on behalf of the Consortium Rijnenburg: “Utrecht is a residential magnet and one of the fastest-growing cities in the Netherlands. Its central location makes the Utrecht Metropolitan Region an attractive place to live or establish a business. With the Merwede Line as a lifeline for a fast, high-frequency connection with the surrounding area. Additionally, the development of Rijnenburg creates opportunities to link housing construction to urban and regional challenges such as water retention, increasing biodiversity, and generating sustainable energy. We are making this investment offer for the Merwede Line to enable the construction of the district and all associated facilities.”
Municipal councilor Eelco Eerenberg, municipality of Utrecht: “This investment shows courage and perseverance. Only in this way can we make this large-scale development possible. And all this with a lasting focus on quality, affordable housing, facilities, one of the largest parks in the country, and sustainable mobility. With this unprecedented collaboration in the Netherlands, we as a region and private parties show: we are ready.”
Map: Groot Merwede - Rijnenburg
Addressing the housing shortage
At the Housing Summit at the end of 2024, agreements were made by the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO) and the Utrecht Metropolitan Region (MRU) regarding the realization of a maximum of 75,000 homes in Groot Merwede and Rijnenburg. These agreements are crucial for addressing the housing shortage in the coming decades. Housing construction on this scale is only possible with a leap in public transport.
Deputy André van Schie, province of Utrecht: “For the accessibility of future residents and workers in Groot Merwede and Rijnenburg, but also for existing residents and commuters from Utrecht and Nieuwegein, the Merwede Line is essential given the significant traffic pressure that already exists on the A12 and A2. The highways are full and can hardly accommodate any additional cars.” For the realization of the Merwede Line in the first phase, approximately 1.8 billion euros is needed, of which 1.2 billion euros is available from national and regional funds. This leaves a gap that can only be bridged with help from the national government.
The consortium of landowners in Rijnenburg consists of: AM, Amvest, Ballast Nedam Development, BPD | Bouwfonds Area Development, Latei, Woonin, Portaal, Synchroon, Hoorne Vastgoed, and Timpaan.
For press information:
jelmer.geerds@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 42 47 30 33