Blue-yellow hood will be removed and this will happen even more with the Mandela Bridge

After an emergency meeting between the municipality of Zoetermeer, Rijkswaterstaat, ProRail and TU Delft last weekend, the first work will take place on the Mandela Bridge today. Cracks mean that the bridge is unsafe and we cannot use it for the time being.

Experts determine that the roads under the bridge can remain open. Zoetermeer train station, RandstadRail Driemanspolder stop and Mandelabrug bus stop will remain closed.

Measures

Measures must be taken before January 1, 2023 due to the approaching cold winter weather, with the risk of larger cracks. In any case, the blue-yellow hood will be removed and the necessary adjustments will be made. The municipality can then choose from two options:

• Floor parts are removed and necessary work is carried out. The bridge is therefore unusable for an indefinite period of time. The municipality is looking for suitable intermediate solutions.
• There will be a new construction to make the bridge safe again. But since this is difficult to realize before January 1, the municipality will most likely choose the first option.

Temporary solutions for Zoetermeer cyclists, walkers and public transport users

In collaboration with ProRail and Rijkswaterstaat, the municipality will take measures for a temporary connection between Rokkeveen and the center and a temporary connection to the Zoetermeer train station, RandstadRail Driemanspolder stop and the Mandelabrug bus stop.

Cyclists and walkers can now use the bicycle tunnels at Eerste Stationsstraat and Rokkeveenseweg Zuid, or cross the A12 via the Balijbrug. Train passengers can travel via the Lansingerland-Zoetermeer and Zoetermeer Oost stations. RandstadRail travelers can get on and off at the Dorp and Meerzicht stops.