63 years, 7 km, 900 mln

Almost finished after 60+ years of debates. Conservationists, municipalities, government, residents, they all had their saying since 1953 because the 7 km highway passes through a nature reserve.

Finally they decided to construct a deepened road with a 2 km tunnel. Some say it's the most expensive road (120 mln per km) in our country but meanwhile the second 'Coentunnel' along with the 'Westrandweg' (A5) near Amsterdam dethroned our little piece of tarmac with 160 mln per km even before it's ready.

The costs will surely be higher though. The deep bentonite-cement walls are too porous and clay underground appears to be less tight than originally thought. 1 million liter water flows into the construction each day. The water can not simply be pumped out without jeopardizing the ecological system in the boggy peat polder even though 'studies' tell us otherwise. Discharge of seepage water can cause subsidence and inlets for 'dirty' water from outside the peat to compensate isn't really an option.

The last word has not been said yet.

[Saxa van Eijnsbergen]

That's a lot of words for only 7km. And where's the traffic, or is the road not open yet?

[Clare Gadsby]

Fab angle and it works so well through the wire

[Kate Goring]

Love the pattern in the fencing.

[Mek]

@overalvandaan not open yet! Probably end of the year.
@pistache yes. shot a few through the fence but like this one best against 'just an empty road'.
@kategoring thank

[Graeme Stevens]

Very cool shot

[john morley]

very interesting, do I get the impression that you are not in favor of it....

[Mek]

@jack4john Dunno! The main route from The Hague to Rotterdam is always full of traffic jams during rush hours and the new road will bypass the ring around our city. From that perspective it's ok. If you think the little cultivated nature in our small country should be preserved and the use of cars should not be encouraged I would say; spent that money on better public transport for example. Or education for that matter. The problem with the water is typical. Buy cheap and waste your money. Not very smart for a country that wants to keep its reputation in the field of water management...

[Ivan]

1. Wish all roads were like this - empty! 2. Interesting. Expensive. And would I like to drive through this with all that water penetrating? Thanks for the information, great, especially as I've driven around there.

[Sylvia du Toit]

Thanks for sharing. Beautiful road.