The road works that caused traffic jams around Eindhoven this weekend are not over yet. In fact, it is only the beginning of a much bigger job that will cause a lot of delay, especially next summer.
Eindhoven is working on an underpass for the A2 and the ring road that cannot solve the traffic pressure around the city, but should reduce it.
“This area in Eindhoven Northwest is growing rapidly,” says Stephan Suiker of the municipality. “That applies not only to Eindhoven Airport and various other companies, but also to the Goods Distribution Center (GDC) in the north of the city.”
The GDC is responsible for increasing freight traffic, while Eindhoven Airport and the new campus for the high-tech industry are putting more passenger cars on the road, he explains.
Direct connection to the A58
With the underpass that will be worked on in the near future, freight traffic from the GDC will have a direct connection to the A58 next year. Sjaak Gerritsen of road builder Strukton points to the colossal tunnel sections that are still next to the highway. “Those are two of the four tunnel elements that we are pre-constructing to be able to drive into them later,” he explains.
In order to limit traffic disruption, the entire tunnel will not be placed under the road at once. Sjaak Gerritsen: “First we dig a large hole and because we are keeping part of the highway open, we are installing a sheet pile this weekend to prevent collapse. Next weekend, anchors will be added to ensure that the sheet pile remains in place.”
Better spread
The underpass at the A2/N2 is the final phase of the new road structure on which Eindhoven has been working since 2019. “By making better connections between, for example, Eindhoven Airport and the GDC with the A58, the traffic around the city can spread more,” says Stephan Suiker. He emphasizes that more is needed to solve the congestion pressure. “Public transport and cycling also play an important role in this.”
The A2 between the Batadorp and De Hogt interchanges will remain closed until Monday morning. The highway will also be closed next weekend. Traffic is being diverted via the ring road.
The ring road will also be closed from July 28 to August 22. This can result in a delay in travel time of up to an hour.
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Traffic jams around Eindhoven due to work on the highway