Amsterdam has earmarked 100 million euros in its 2023 Spring Memorandum to fund the construction of a bridge for cyclists over the IJ. The city's Jump over the IJ

campaign has been ongoing for several years to improve transportation in the Dutch capital as the population grows. With the number of passengers on IJ ferries increasing annually, the municipality believes the bridge will improve transport connections without obstructing the movement of the 160,000 ships that sail through the IJ each year. The municipality is in talks with other partners to finance the remaining amount, estimated to be at least 300 million euros. If all goes according to plan, the bridge could be completed by 2032.

As part of the budget announced on May 11, the municipality allocated 7.5 million euros to maintain public transport services, 10 million euros to tackle the housing crisis, and 600 million euros to projects improving infrastructure in the Dutch capital. The municipality is also investing funds in various projects, including a new library in Southeast Amsterdam, the National Slavery Museum, Meervart in the Sloterplas, and renovations for the Jaap Edenbaan ice rink. Additionally, 2 million euros will be used to combat sexual violence and violence against LGBTQ+ people, while 9 million euros will be allocated to the asylum crisis. The municipality's decision to raise its tax rates for tourists will partially fund these investments. Photo by Zairon, Wikimedia commons.