News item | 19-12-2024 | 4:45 PM
The maximum speed on three stretches of highway will increase to 130 kilometers per hour during the day next year. Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Barry Madlener announced this on Thursday.
The cabinet has agreed that the maximum speed on the highway – where possible – will be increased to 130 kilometers per hour during the day. In October it was indicated that four routes were initially being considered. These have been investigated to see whether an increase in speed is possible, or whether there are obstacles in the areas of nitrogen, noise, air quality or road safety.
Three of the four studies have now been completed, and they show that the maximum speed on these routes during the day can be increased to 130 km/h. This concerns the A7 Afsluitdijk, between Stevin locks and Lorentz locks, the A7 between the Winschoten connection and the border with Germany, and the A6 between Lelystad-Noord and the Ketelbrug. The aim is to increase the maximum speed by the second quarter of 2025 at the latest.
The investigation into the A37 between the Holssloot junction and the Zwartemeer connection is still ongoing. The outcome of this is expected in January.
“The cabinet has set a clear goal: we must drive 130 km/h again, where possible,” said Minister Madlener. “With these processes we are taking a first step and keeping up the momentum. Next year we will examine more routes to see where else we can drive 130.”
For the A7 towards Germany, a larger part of the highway was in the picture, but the research showed that in that case the ceiling for noise would be exceeded. That’s why that part was shortened. If major maintenance has taken place on the road, with the construction of quiet asphalt, the maximum speed can probably be increased to 130 km/h from the Zuidbroek junction. Major maintenance is planned for the period 2028-2032.
Now that Minister Madlener has made this decision, the opinion procedure can begin, in which people can respond to the decision. Once those responses have been processed, the traffic decisions can be made final in the first quarter of 2025. The signs on these stretches of highway will be adjusted as soon as possible afterwards.
The Council of State ruled this week in a case about internal netting. The government is studying this to see whether and, if so, what consequences this ruling will have for this decision.
The introduction of 130 km/h is part of the Car Action Agenda. With this Action Agenda, the government presents a package of measures that are appropriate for the major tasks and developments of the moment. With priority for making new housing construction locations accessible, increasing road safety and maintaining the main road network and tackling traffic jams.
About 70% of all kilometers traveled in the Netherlands are traveled by car, and the government therefore wants to do more to increase the mobility of motorists.
Many new homes will have to be built in the coming years, and they must also be easily accessible. The government wants to restart one paused construction project every year, and also take various measures to relieve traffic jams, especially during rush hour.
In addition, there is a focus on car sharing and the development of hubs where cars, public transport and bicycles come together. There will also be pilots with high-quality, fast buses on the highway, which can take travelers comfortably to their destination.