Unique cooperation for Merwedelijn tram line

17 June 2025

Unique cooperation for Merwedelijn tram line: consortium of landowners makes substantial investment offer for high-quality public transport to Rijnenburg

For the first time in the Netherlands, both public and private parties are investing for the realization of a high-speed tram line. The landowners of the future Rijnenburg district (united in the Consortium Grondeigenaren Rijnenburg), as co-beneficiaries, want to make a substantial investment of 200 million to make the extension of the Merwedelijn possible. This tram must become the future high-quality public transport connection between Utrecht Central Station, Groot Merwede and the Rijnenburg polder, and open up the largest housing development location in the Netherlands.

With the contribution of the landowners of Rijnenburg, the completion of the Merwedelijn is much closer. The Merwedelijn will be built in two phases: phase 1 up to Nieuwegein and a branch line to Rijnenburg. The section up to Nieuwegein requires €1.8 billion, of which €1.2 billion is available from national and regional funds. An additional €0.6 billion is estimated to be needed for the branch to Rijnenburg. With the extension of the Merwedelijn to Rijnenburg, the construction of another 20,000 to 25,000 homes including facilities and works will be made possible. Housing that is badly needed and can also give an enormous positive impulse to the city and region in the area of work and recreation. For this additional amount, the 200 million from the landowners has now been offered. This leaves a gap that can only be bridged with help from the State.

Esther Agricola, regional director BPD Noord-West, on behalf of the Rijnenburg Consortium: "Utrecht is a residential magnet and one of the fastest growing cities in the Netherlands. Its central location makes the Utrecht Metropolitan Area an eminently attractive place to live or establish a business. With the Merwedelijn as its lifeline for a fast, high-frequency connection to the surrounding area. The development of Rijnenburg also creates opportunities to link housing to urban and regional tasks such as water storage, increasing biodiversity and generating sustainable energy. We are making this investment offer for the Merwedelijn to enable the construction of the district and all the facilities that go with it."

The offer is the subject of further consultation between the region and the landowners. The agreements and preconditions about the investment will be worked out in an agreement in the coming period.

Indispensable line

At the Woontop in late 2024, agreements were made by the Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO) and Metropolitan Region Utrecht (MRU) on the realization of up to 75,000 housing units in Groot Merwede and Rijnenburg. These agreements are of great importance for making up the housing shortage in the coming decades.

Utrecht is building the city of the future in the region with the highest housing shortage and rapidly growing employment. Right on the economic axis of the Netherlands, in a region that is among the most competitive in Europe. It is very attractive as a business location for (international) activity and knowledge institutions. It is very important for the region and for the Netherlands that this economic engine keeps running smoothly. Housing construction on this scale is only possible with a scale leap in public transport.

Private parties step forward

Private parties stand to develop a livable, sustainable and affordable district. The landowners and the city of Utrecht and region see the need for a high-quality public transport connection; without this investment, the district simply cannot be developed. At the same time, private and public parties want to combat the price-driving effect of land speculation as much as possible, so that sufficient resources are available to build a high-quality district.

Alderman Eelco Eerenberg, Municipality of Utrecht: "This investment shows courage and perseverance. This is the only way we can make this large-scale development possible. And that with a permanent eye for quality, affordable housing, facilities, one of the largest parks in the country and sustainable mobility. With this cooperation not previously seen in the Netherlands, we as a region and private parties show: we are ready."

Delegate André van Schie, Province of Utrecht: "For the accessibility of the future residents and employees in Groot Merwede and Rijnenburg, but also for existing residents and commuters of Utrecht and Nieuwegein, the Merwede line is essential given the great traffic pressure that already exists on the A12 and A2. The highways are full and can hardly handle additional cars."

The consortium of landowners in Rijnenburg is formed by: AM, Amvest, Ballast Nedam Development, BPD | Bouwfonds Gebiedsontwikkeling, Latei, Woonin, Portaal, Synchroon, Hoorne Vastgoed and Timpaan.