Maintenance of retaining walls and safety improvements
The half lane will be closed for over eight weeks due to necessary maintenance of subsided retaining walls along the N860, also known as Rijksweg West. Along the bicycle path and several adjacent houses are retaining walls that accommodate the height difference between the bicycle path and the plots. In multiple places these walls have subsided and there is a risk they may collapse in the future. The prolonged closure is needed to install new soil or steel sheet piles, improve drainage, and replace the existing railing.
Traffic measures and detours
During the works, the N860 is closed for traffic from Hoogezand to Groningen, between the roundabout at Waterhuizen and the Westerbroeksterbrug. The detour route for car traffic runs via the A7 and Europaweg. Motorists should expect up to 15 minutes extra travel time. Traffic from Groningen to Hoogezand can still use one lane.
Cyclists and public transport
(Moped) cyclists can continue riding and are partially detoured via the roadway. Bus line 76 between Groningen and Hoogezand runs a modified route during the works. Only the bus stop at the Waterhuizen roundabout is temporarily suspended.
Schedule
The works start Monday, March 16 at 6:00 AM and last until Wednesday, May 13. The schedule may change due to adverse weather conditions.