The iconic Afsluitdijk, a causeway connecting the provinces of Friesland and North Holland, is set to undergo major maintenance, starting November 4th. This essential work will cause temporary disruptions for both road and sea traffic.
According to Omrop Fryslân, the bridges at Den Oever and Kornwerderzand are reaching the end of their lifespan and require significant repairs. While a decision on replacing these aging structures is still pending, Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch executive agency for infrastructure and water management, has opted for immediate maintenance to ensure their continued operation. Johan de Boer from Rijkswaterstaat emphasized the importance of this work, stating that it will minimize malfunctions caused by misaligned bridges.
Shipping routes will be affected in phases, with partial closures at the Lorentzsluizen at Kornwerderzand until November 18 and full closures from November 18 to December 2. The Stevinsluis near Den Oever will be entirely closed from December 2 to December 15. The A7 highway will remain open, but motorists should expect delays. “When we’re working on one bridge, all traffic will need to be redirected over the other,” De Boer explained. Additionally, the bridges might remain open longer to allow for maritime traffic, causing further delays. “Fortunately, the recreational boating season is over, but some hold-ups are unavoidable,” he added.
While De Boer is hopeful that work will conclude on December 15, he warned that adverse weather could cause delays.
