Costs rise for revamping Amsterdam’s IJ and Piet Hein tunnels

Costs for renovating Amsterdam’s IJ and Piet Hein tunnels are higher than expected, Dutch media report.

Renovation of the Piet Hein Tunnel will cost €35 million more than the original €85 million budgeted.

However, cost for renovating the IJ Tunnel rose only €3.6 million over the planned more than budgeted €55.1 million.

Cost increases are due mainly to upgrading of fire safety systems, according to the media.

The 1km-long IJ Tunnel, which opened in 1968, is part of a nearly 1.7km system, including external ramps and access road, that runs under the IJ, a lake that forms the waterfront of Amsterdam. The tunnel connects Amsterdam’s north and south ring roads.

The 1.9km-long Piet Hein Tunnel, also running under the IJ, was opened in 1997 and runs east-west between the city centre and the A10 ring-road. Since May 2005 also provides a tram link between the Amsterdam Centraal railway station and Haveneiland, IJburg. It was named after the Dutch naval hero Piet Hein.