The Province of Utrecht is replacing the Demmerikse bridge on the N201 near Vinkeveen. The new bridge will be a fixed bridge with a clearance height of 4.8 meters. The Provincial Council decided this on November 12 during the discussion of the Multi-Year Investment Plan for Mobility.
The bridge was built in 1942 and must be replaced by 2029 at the latest. The bridge is technically obsolete and a bottleneck for road traffic and shipping. The bridge opens about 800 times a year, causing delays, unsafe situations, and noise nuisance.
Fixed bridge has advantages
A variant study shows that a fixed bridge scores better than a movable bridge. This applies to safety, livability, accessibility, and traffic flow. Maintenance costs are also much lower (€11.18 million versus €30.3 million).
Advantages at a glance
- Safety: the bridge no longer needs to open, visibility for road and water traffic is better, wider underpass at the lock, a dedicated bridge for cyclists, and improved social safety.
- Livability: less noise nuisance, better appearance in the landscape, limited impact on nature, and opportunities for new nature development.
- Accessibility and traffic flow: ships can pass freely, traffic and cyclists do not have to wait, and the slope is not steep.
- Costs: less maintenance, therefore lower costs.
Choice for two bridges
The province chooses two bridges next to each other, on piles. Cars drive over one bridge and cyclists over the other, improving safety. The bicycle bridge connects to the bike path under the new Demmerikse bridge and can also carry car traffic in emergencies. Moreover, the construction of two bridges makes it possible to keep the N201 open to traffic with minimal disruption during construction.
The construction of the new bridge costs €24.21 million. This amount is divided over the themes of roads, traffic safety, cycling, and quality of living environment.
Participation
The province has spoken extensively with residents, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders during preparation. To limit the impact on shipping traffic, additional facilities will be provided.
Future N201
The replacement of the Demmerikse bridge is part of the project Future N201. The N201 is an important connection between Schiphol and the Gooi and Vecht region and has been a major bottleneck in the Province of Utrecht for years. With the Future N201 project, the province is working step by step towards better traffic flow, traffic safety, and livability.
For press information:
isabelle.damen@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 28 39 36 51
