Construction fault threatens Dutch bridges: these 6 bridges hit hardest

January 24, 2025

Construction error

It is a bit of a shock for those who regularly drive on Dutch highways. About a hundred bridges and viaducts appear to have a construction fault that makes them wear out faster. The problem? A so-called tongue and groove construction, where concrete parts rest on top of each other with a kind of ‘tooth’ and ‘ridge’. Sounds sturdy, but in practice it turns out to be a bit of a construction blunder. External influences, such as road salt in winter, can cause corrosion of the steel reinforcement in the concrete.

Six bridges

Minister Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) has since informed the House of Representatives via a parliamentary letter . The problem affects bridges and viaducts throughout the country, managed by Rijkswaterstaat but possibly also by provinces. So it is quite an extensive issue.

Six locations are the most damaged, including the Velperbroek interchange near Arnhem. Trucks heavier than 45 tons have recently been banned from driving over there. Viaducts at the A6 (Kamperhoekweg), A1 (Naardertrekvaart and De Tol), A4 (Prins Clausplein) and A15 (Tielsestraal) are also on the list of causes for concern. Rijkswaterstaat placed seventeen structures high on its priority list.