According to Apeldoorn, it has been clear since 2016 that the underside of the over 50-year-old viaduct has concrete damage. Rijkswaterstaat has not done anything since then, according to the municipality, except to monitor how much concrete is crumbling. The service says that it is never possible to predict in advance when pieces of concrete will fall down again. The municipality is therefore concerned about the safety of Apeldoorners who use the viaduct and the safety of drivers on the A1.
The case has gained momentum because the preliminary relief judge in Arnhem recently suspended a traffic decision by the municipality after objections. That decision was necessary to arrange a diversion at the viaduct, so that Rijkswaterstaat could get to work. However, the preliminary relief judge finds that the effect on the Veluwe nature reserve has not been sufficiently considered. It is also not clear whether emergency services can reach Radio Kootwijk in time if the viaduct is closed. But Rijkswaterstaat has arranged that with a land owner, says Apeldoorn, and the municipality is now going to check this with the emergency services.
Due to the procedures, the restoration of the crumbling viaduct could take years, Apeldoorn fears. The municipality wants the viaduct to be labeled as unsafe and to be closed immediately.