Amsterdam’s former transport chief, Melanie van der Horst, allegedly concealed an €850 million cost increase for a planned cycle and pedestrian bridge prior to the March local elections. Documents reveal she was aware of the escalating costs well before publicly stating the project would cost €120 million. The revelation has sparked outrage and accusations of deliberate misinformation aimed at influencing voters. The bridge, intended to connect Amsterdam Noord with the city center, has become a symbol of budgetary overruns and questionable transparency. Opposition parties are demanding a full investigation into the matter, questioning the extent of the deception and potential legal ramifications. Van der Horst has not yet publicly addressed the specific allegations, but the scandal threatens to destabilize the current city government. The city council is now facing increased pressure to reassess the project's viability given the massive cost discrepancy.