Melanie van der Horst denies withholding Oostbrug cost increases

Melanie van der Horst Oostbrug Amsterdam city council infrastructure costs D66

Amsterdam official Melanie van der Horst has denied allegations that she intentionally withheld information regarding massive cost increases for the planned Oostbrug project prior to local elections.

Reports from broadcaster AT5, based on freedom of information documents, suggest that officials were aware as early as December that the cost for the pedestrian and cycle bridge could rise from the budgeted €325 million to as much as €850 million. Documents indicate that Van der Horst, who was a lead candidate for the D66 party during the elections, was reportedly given a choice by officials on whether to disclose the bad news before or after the vote.

Van der Horst maintains that she has informed the city council for over a year that costs would be higher and that she has acted consistently with her role. She noted that the administrative responsibility for the bridge lies with Elise Moeskops, the current alderman for mobility and public space. Seven opposition parties have requested an emergency debate in response to the revelations.

Entities

AT5 · Amsterdam · D66 · Melanie van der Horst · Oostbrug

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Seven opposition parties have requested an emergency debate regarding the cost revelations. www.dutchnews.nl
[● 2 SOURCES] Melanie van der Horst denies withholding information, claiming she informed the council for over a year that costs would be higher. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl
[● 3 SOURCES] Officials gave Melanie van der Horst the choice to disclose rising Oostbrug costs either before or after the local elections. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.dutchnews.nl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Documents obtained via a freedom of information request show the cost increase was known internally around December 2. www.dutchnews.nl
[● 3 SOURCES] The projected cost for the Oostbrug rose from a budgeted €325 million to between €650 million and €850 million. www.dagelijksestandaard.nl · nieuws.nl · www.dutchnews.nl

Sources

Wethouder Van der Horst ontkent achterhouden kosten Oostbrug [www.dagelijksestandaard.nl]

9 days ago

Van der Horst ontkent verzwijgen kosten Oostbrug [nieuws.nl]

9 days ago

Wethouder Van der Horst ontkent achterhouden kosten Oostbrug [www.welingelichtekringen.nl]

9 days ago

Amsterdam transport chief hid €850m bridge costs before election - DutchNews. nl [www.dutchnews.nl]

9 days ago