Following strong pushback from cyclists about closing the cycling path on the Afsluitdijk for years due to construction, Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen now says that the route will be open on four Sundays throughout 2019.
Translation by Traci White
Even though the cycling lane closure began on 1 April, it was no joke: the cycling paths on the Afsluitdijk will be closed for three years. while underground high voltage electrical cables are installed along the length of the causeway. The dike itself and its floodgates will be upgraded.
Four cycling unions in the Netherland forcefully objected to the plans to close off the popular cycling route between Friesland and North Holland: they circulated a petition and asked for an audience with the Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management.
Following questions in the Dutch parliament on the matter, minister Van Nieuwenhuizen has decided to re-open the cycling path on four Sundays over the course of 2019: the exact dates and times have not yet been announced. In order to do so, traffic guides will need to be on hand: vehicles will be able to use one lane, and cyclists will be allowed to use another lane.
According to the Leeuwarder Courant, Van Nieuwenhuizen says that it is unlikely that a similar arrangement can be made for 2020 and 2021 due to the tempo of the construction works. A “bike bus” will be available to cyclists to escort them across the causeway during the next three years.
