The people of Aalborg have to dig into their pockets again to find even more money for the Egholm motorway.
The municipal expenses in connection with the state’s construction project continue to rise, and the only thing we know for sure is that there will be even more extra bills in the future.
In a brand new reply to me from By og Land, it appears that after the budget process was over, it has become clear that extra ongoing operating expenses for employee hours in the order of DKK 7.5 million can be expected. DKK per year until the eventual opening of the Egholm motorway, as the municipality “contributes to the state project in several areas”. It is an uncertain estimate of an operating expense, which can both be greater or less than the 7.5 million.
But it is, on the other hand, absolutely certain that it is an expense that, in total, can amount to just under DKK 100 million. DKK, which has not previously been described.
If some thought that the Egholm Motorway would only cost the taxpayers in Aalborg the 60 million DKK per year for 10 years (DKK 600 million in total) which a majority of the city council’s parties have decided to donate, so they are wrong.
But it gets even worse. The answer to me ends with the disturbing message: “If the processes proceed according to plan, it is expected that from the next budget process, budget pieces will start to arrive”. Translated into plain Danish, this means that, on the one hand, we should not expect a comprehensive overview of the current unknown expenses, especially in the construction area, which we will have to find other savings in the budgets to finance. On the other hand, we must expect that from the autumn of 2025, new expenses will appear at regular intervals, which we will “have to” accept, because the majority insists on completing the project.
One of the areas where new expenses may arise is for noise shielding. I note with satisfaction that after I received my written answers to questions about noise shielding, Mayor Lasse Frimand Jensen has also asked for an explanation.
With good reason, as it now appears more unclear whether Aalborg municipality may end up having to pay for some noise shielding, for example on some of the municipal roads that are caused by noise from the Egholm motorway.
2024-12-06 11:34:00
#people #Aalborg #extra #bill #motorway #expensive
What cheaper and less intrusive alternatives to the Egholm motorway has the Borgerbevægelsen proposed, according to Niels Hansen?
## Interview with Niels Hansen, Citizen Advocate for Responsible Spending
**Interviewer:** Niels, thank you for joining us today. As many are aware, the Egholm motorway project has seen its share of cost overruns. We’ve just learned of an additional DKK 7.5 million per year in ongoing expenses. Can you tell us more about this and how it impacts Aalborg residents?
**Niels Hansen:** Absolutely. This latest development is deeply concerning for taxpayers in Aalborg. While the municipality claims these additional DKK 7.5 million are for employee hours contributing to the state project, the details are vague. They admit this is just an estimate, which could be higher. This lack of transparency is unacceptable, especially given the already ballooning costs of the Egholm motorway.
**Interviewer:** What are the potential consequences of these ongoing expenses for Aalborg residents?
**Niels Hansen:** Aalborg residents will ultimately foot the bill for these unforeseen costs. This means less money available for essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure maintenance. It also raises serious questions about the project’s overall financial viability and the responsible use of public funds.
**Interviewer:** There are discussions about alternative solutions to the Egholm motorway, such as a city tunnel or bridge. Could these alternatives help address the escalating costs?
**Niels Hansen:** Absolutely. The Borgerbevægelsen has clearly stated that alternatives like a city tunnel or bridge offer a significantly cheaper and less intrusive solution [[1](https://nejtilegholmmotorvej.dk/nyheder/nu-skal-forligspartier-droefte-alternativ-til-egholmmotorvejen)]. We need to seriously consider these options and evaluate their potential to save money and minimize the impact on our community and environment.
**Interviewer:** What message do you have for Aalborg’s leaders regarding this latest development?
**Niels Hansen:** Transparency and accountability are paramount. We demand a detailed breakdown of these costs, a clear explanation of why they weren’t anticipated earlier, and a commitment to exploring more fiscally responsible alternatives. The Egholm motorway should not become a bottomless pit for Aalborg taxpayers.
