Opening Nettelhorster Bridge Spring 2026
The original plan was for an opening in 2025. Due to bad weather conditions, the planned installation operation in June had to be postponed to August. As a result, it will not be possible to complete the remaining work this year. A major reason is that it is not possible to lay a good asphalt layer in winter due to cold and frost. For this reason, asphalting has been postponed to early spring 2026. After that, the Nettelhorster Bridge will open for motorized traffic, likely in April. An exact date cannot yet be provided, as this depends on the weather and the progress of the work.
Still Much to Do
From a distance, it seems as if the Nettelhorster Bridge over the Twente Canal is almost finished. However, the connection that currently lies over the water is not much more than the steel framework. The land heads (the support points on which the bridge rests) and the ramps still need to be completed. Then the bridge deck will be placed, and asphalting can take place. Finally, the railings and guardrails will be installed, and parts of the bridge will be painted.
Construction company BAM has already started clearing the former construction site of the bridge on Goorseweg.
Official Opening
We will officially open the Nettelhorster Bridge. How and when this will happen is not yet known. Together with the municipality of Lochem, we are making plans for this. It will be a fitting opening, as in 2024, during lifting operations of the bridge, 2 employees died and 2 employees were seriously injured. We are in consultation with relatives about a possible memorial for the deceased employees.
Lochem Bridge Becomes Bicycle and Pedestrian Area
After the Nettelhorster Bridge opens to motorized traffic, we will carry out the final roadworks for the project. We will then connect the Kwinkweerd on the east side to the new roundabout. That will also be the moment when the Lochem Bridge will be closed to motor traffic. From that moment on, it will function, together with the Ampsense Knot, as a bicycle and pedestrian connection. After this last step, the work will be completed, and the new Schakel Achterhoek-A1 will be finished.
