The Radicals are pulling out of the agreement to build the 3rd Limfjord connection, which would cross the island of Egholm with a four-lane motorway.
This decision comes after Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen (V) rejected moving the decision to autumn to wait for additional calculations on climate and socio-economics on Tuesday evening.
– There was no support for this, and therefore we will vote against the construction law, says transport spokesperson Stinus Lindgreen.
The party had otherwise been part of passing the new motorway when they joined the infrastructure agreement in 2021.
Since then, several calculations of the project’s consequences have changed.
CO2 emissions almost doubled
The Road Directorate, with a new model, has shown that the CO2 emissions from the construction of the motorway across Egholm will be significantly higher than assumed.
The expected CO2 emissions from the construction phase of the combined bridge and tunnel solution are now estimated to be 480,000 tons.
Previously, the forecast was 263,000 tons. This constitutes an increase in CO2 emissions of 83 percent.
– In the Radical Left, we see no shame in becoming wiser, and the basis for the 3rd Limfjord connection has changed significantly, says Stinus Lindgreen.
Still supports Infrastructure Plan
Even though the Radicals will not support the new motorway over Egholm, it does not mean that the party is leaving the entire infrastructure agreement.
There is also still a solid majority behind the 3rd Limfjord connection, which is not threatened by the Radicals’ no.
The government argues that this is a decision that has been debated for decades.
Aims to alleviate queues under the Limfjord
The purpose is to relieve the severely congested traffic towards North Jutland, where motorists queue in the tunnel under the Limfjord. Here, the connection over Egholm has proven to be the best, says Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen from the rostrum in the Folketing chamber.
– I understand that one can feel uneasy when making the decision, and I understand that it can be difficult, the minister says.
– But I do not think one can say that it is not based on informed grounds.
In his view, new studies on the motorway’s premises cannot be delivered before autumn.
Therefore, the Radicals’ wish is only effective if they want to “thwart” the project, says the minister.
/Ritzau/
