AMSTERDAM (AP) — Amsterdam's city hall says that kilometers (miles) of walls along its world famous canals are crumbling and in urgent need of repair following years of neglect.
A report published Thursday says that repairing infrastructure such as canal walls and bridges is "a complex, large and urgent" task.
Amsterdam Municipality, which is responsible for maintaining some 1,600 bridges, 600 kilometers (373 miles) of canal walls and five traffic tunnels, says the report found that 10 kilometers (six miles) of the walls are in very bad condition and at elevated risk of subsiding.
City councilor Sharon Dijksma says urgent action is needed. She says, "that has not happened enough in recent years because maintenance is not a sexy subject, but it is essential for the city."
