The persistent heat also has consequences for road traffic. One half of the N260, the provincial road between Gilze and Alphen, among others, has risen across the full width on Friday afternoon. According to the police, this is a result of the high temperatures of recent times.
Various road users reported to the police on Friday afternoon that they had noticed that the concrete track had cracked open. A spokesperson said that the province has been informed and that it will ensure that the road surface will be repaired.
This will take the entire evening and part of the coming night, that’s his expectation. The road will be closed from Gilze in the direction of Alphen. The traffic is diverted.
It often happens that road surfaces show cracks under the influence of the temperature (both high and low). In many cases it is about concrete slabs. Such as three years ago, on the N285 provincial road, which runs past the core of Zevenbergen. Sven van Reusel, then road inspector of Rijkswaterstaat, then explained how that is possible: “Concrete lives, it shrinks and in warm weather it turns out. If two concrete plates press hard against each other, those plates will eventually go up. In the worst case, cars can then be launched.”
In 2019, between Veldhoven and Eersel concrete slabs came up and in a triangle opposite each other.
Heat protocol
For Rijkswaterstaat, persistent high temperatures can be a reason to announce a heat protocol for roads a week ago. This is primarily intended for road users, so that they can be helped as quickly as possible in the event of a breakdown.