News item | 14-04-2025 | 8:15 AM
From today, 130 kilometers per hour can be driven on parts of the Dutch highway during the day. For the time being, it concerns three routes: the A7-closing dike, between Stevinsluizen and Lorentzsluizen, the A7 between the Winschoten connection and the border with Germany, and the A6 between Lelystad-Noord and the Ketelbrug. The intention is that before the summer, the A37 between the Holssloot junction and connection Zwartemeer, 130 kilometers per hour can also be driven on a fourth route. Preparations are now being made for this. In total it concerns 117 kilometers of asphalt.
“Driving by car is important for people and companies. The car offers flexibility, speed and comfort. This measure is part of the Action Agenda Car with a wide range of measures aimed at car mobility and more freedom for motorists,” explains Minister Barry Madlener (infrastructure and water management).
The routes may only be driven 130 kilometers per hour during the day if there are actually signs along the road. These will be revealed today at the Afsluitdijk and placed in the coming days by Rijkswaterstaat. Madlener: “We think it is important that it is immediately clear that you can drive 130 during the day. That is why we put enough signs. Incidentally, you don’t have to drive 130, you can also just drive 100 on the right track.”
A phased approach has been chosen, in which the ministry always looks at a number of promising processes where the maximum speed can be increased without the need for additional measures around noise and nitrogen. Investigating a limited number of processes increases the chance that the maximum speed can be increased quickly in a number of places. This will also be the approach for the following processes.
Madlener: “With these routes we are taking a first step, and we are keeping the speed in it. Now we are going to take a closer look at more processes to see where we can drive more 130 kilometers per hour. As soon as I have an inventory, I am expected to inform the Lower House about it.”
The ministry is currently investigating where increasing the speed limit does not lead to exceedances of the noise standards. That happens with indicative calculations. Subsequently, it is calculated whether there are no significant negative effects on Natura 2000 areas. This requires research.
With the Auto Action Agenda, the speed increase of which is part, the government is taking a package of measures in keeping with the large tasks and developments at the moment. With priority for making new housing locations accessible, increasing road safety and maintaining the main road network and the approach to traffic jams. About 70% of all kilometers traveled in the Netherlands are covered by car, and the government therefore wants to do more to increase the mobility of the motorist. The cabinet wants to restart one paused construction project every year to alleviate the congestion.