Avoid hours of traffic jams: work from home or travel outside peak hours.
The Public Works Department expects unprecedented traffic disruptions in the Utrecht region in 2025 due to a large number of planned roadworks.
Chief Engineer Director of Central Netherlands Eric Diepstraten: ‘We are minimizing inconvenience as much as possible, but road users also have a role to play. If you hit the road unprepared next year, you risk significant delays, especially from May to October. Planning your journey in advance can prevent a lot of traffic misery.’
The maintenance task for the road network in the Utrecht region is enormous in 2025. For example, we will replace 30 km of asphalt on the A12 between Veenendaal and Lunetten, work on the A27 between Houten and Hooipolder, replace the cables of the Galecopper Bridge on the A12 towards Arnhem, and the A2 between junction Oudenrijn and the Leidsche Rijntunnel will get new asphalt in both directions.
Diepstraten: ‘The Utrecht region is often already quite busy, so these works will cause a lot of inconvenience. It is not a pleasant message, but the work is necessary to ensure road safety. The good news is that our road network in those locations will last for years after the work. Moreover, planned maintenance is less severe than unplanned maintenance, which often leads to unexpected road closures and even longer traffic jams.’
What can road users do?
Diepstraten: ‘By consciously choosing when to travel, avoiding peak hours, working from home, or traveling differently, such as using public transport or cycling, we can significantly reduce traffic jams. Discuss this with your employer if possible. And if you have to drive, follow the detour signs and not your navigation system.
On the website VanAnaarBeter, road users can see exactly where the works are and how long the expected delays are. On the website Verkeersverwachtingen, there are suggestions for alternative travel methods, such as temporary shared bikes.
Provincial Executive Member for Utrecht, Andre van Schie (mobility): ‘Besides the Public Works Department, the province, municipalities, and ProRail also have a lot of maintenance to do. That’s why we coordinate the work as much as possible.
The partnership ‘Goed op Weg’ helps with this. For example, by assisting employers with communication, research, and mobility policies. Our joint goal is to improve accessibility, road safety, and livability in the region.’
Why is maintenance needed now?
Many bridges, viaducts, and locks date from the 1950s and 60s and are urgently in need of maintenance and renovation. Additionally, there is increasing and heavier freight and car traffic, which causes extra wear.
Planning these works is a complex puzzle. Not everywhere can work be done simultaneously, and the capacity of personnel and equipment is also a limiting factor.
More information?
Stay updated on the latest planning and alternative travel options via the website Verkeersverwachtingen. Or check the website VanAnaarBeter for specific route works. Finally, find more information on Working together for an accessible Central Netherlands.
Do you have questions? Then contact us.