Jordaan City Council Approves Infrastructure and Employment Bill for Transit Upgrades and Training Programs

Jordaan City Council approved the Infrastructure and Employment Bill on July 7, directing €25 million from the 2026 municipal budget to transit corridor repairs and three new workforce training sites. The measure affects residents who rely on local bus routes and those seeking entry-level positions in construction and municipal services.

Background on the vote timing

The council took up the bill after the city transport department reported delays on three main routes serving the Wester and Prinsen districts. Minutes from the meeting state that the funds must be committed before the September budget review cycle begins. Local advocates note that similar allocations in prior years were tied to national infrastructure matching grants that expire at the end of 2026.

Residents along the Haarlemmerdijk corridor will see scheduled lane closures starting in October for resurfacing work, while the training centers will open intake sessions for 400 applicants in January 2027. One center will focus on commercial driver certification and another on facilities maintenance for city buildings.

Budget figures and expected rollout

The 2026 budget allocation document lists €14 million for pavement and signal upgrades on the Lijnbaan and Elandsgracht segments and €11 million for the training facilities, including equipment purchases. The same document projects that the construction contracts will require 180 temporary positions filled through local hiring preferences. Implementation begins with a request for proposals issued by the public works office on August 15.

Next steps include public consultation sessions scheduled for the third week of July at the Jordaan community center and a progress report due to the council in December 2026. The legislation states that unspent funds from the training portion revert to the general reserve if enrollment targets are not met by March 2027.