Great interest in ViA15 during Construction Day

During Construction Day on June 21, ViA15 was present with an information booth under the IJssel bridges near Arnhem. Despite the warm weather, around 350 locals and other interested parties came by to ask questions or just to chat.

The most frequently asked questions: Is it really going ahead? When will the work begin? Is the A12 ready sooner? Logical questions, as ViA15 had been on hold for a while. It is now clear: preparations are back in full swing and the first work on the road will start in 2026.

The employees of Rijkswaterstaat and GelreGroen were ready all day to explain the planning, approach, and upcoming steps. Thus, Construction Day offered a nice moment to look forward to what will happen in the region.

New bat box near Helstraat

A special bat box has been placed this month in the area of Helstraat between Duiven and Zevenaar. This is no luxury: bats are protected animals in the Netherlands. If their habitat temporarily changes due to work, good alternative nesting and resting places must be provided in time.

Therefore, we have proactively placed a new pole box, in this case, a rocket-shaped pole box. This has different microclimates so that the bats can choose a spot that best suits their preference for temperature and shelter.

In one such box, up to 100 bats can stay together, a safe, temporary place until their original habitat is available again. With this measure, ViA15 contributes to the protection of vulnerable species during the execution of the project.

Great crested newt spotted

Success for the nature measures at ViA15: several great crested newts have been found in 2 recently created ponds near Groessen and Zevenaar. The protected amphibians are already using their new habitat. The ponds were created as part of the ecological compensation for the construction of the new A15.

Want to know more about the nature measures? Visit the website ViA15 !

Film made about the British soldier identified after 80 years

During archaeological research for the ViA15 project near Bemmel, the remains of a British soldier were found at the end of 2020. It concerns soldier Henry Moon, 21 years old. Henry served in the Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed on October 1, 1944, during fierce fighting in the Betuwe, part of Operation Market Garden. Thanks to extensive historical and forensic research, his identity could ultimately be established via a DNA match.

In September 2024, private Moon was reburied with military honors at the Airborne Cemetery in Oosterbeek. The ceremony took place in the presence of relatives. On May 15, 2025, a video about Moons life was released. You can watch this video on ViA15 . There you can also read earlier articles about historical research related to the ViA15 project.

Inspections and studies along future ViA15

GelreGroen will conduct various inspections and studies in the ViA15 project area in the coming months. This is necessary to further refine the final design details and to accurately map the current state of the area.

Specialists from GelreGroen will check bridges and viaducts, assess the road surface, and map the soil quality. They will take photos and video and drone recordings of the area, conduct environmental research, and carry out measurements of the subsoil. They will use borings and so-called soundings - a technique to determine the strength of the soil.

Until August 2025, these are so-called reversible works: they leave no traces in the environment and have no impact on traffic and flow. From mid-August to November 2025, some work will be more visible. Temporary lane closures will be needed in some places, and trees will be cut down. More information will follow later on the website ViA15 .