Today at 11:35 • Updated today at 12:02
The trucks rumble by and people almost have to scream to get above them. Near the villages of Vlierden and Ommel there are two very dangerous places where cyclists, pedestrians and cars have to cross the busy provincial road N279. There has been talk about an approach for years, but everyone’s patience will be tested for a long time: it only seems to be clear in 2029. The province does hope to be able to take an interim measure at one of the locations in the autumn.
Paul Willems lives in the Brouwhuis district of Helmond and likes to go for walks in the woods near the N279. And so he crosses the Rijntjesdijk crossing three times a week. “It is very dangerous here. I still have time to wait, but I often see things going just fine with students. When a car arrives, they quickly rush across the road.” Paul then holds his breath.
And his patience is often tested. “I wait here on average between seven and ten minutes. I think there has been talk about an approach for more than ten years.” The province indicates that the first plans were made in 2008 to improve the crossings. But that was part of other plans, which were always rejected.
The provincial road that runs between Asten and ‘s-Hertogenbosch must be completely renovated. But that doesn’t go very smoothly. For example, the Council of State dismissed plans for the road in 2021. The province now hopes to tackle the road in 2030, but the crossings will be completed a little earlier, in 2029.
The crossing at the Rijntjesdijk is not only used by students, touring cyclists also like to come there. The touring club from Mierlo, for example. “We are still able to accurately estimate the traffic,” says one of them, while the group has just crossed the road. “And we are fast. But it is very dangerous here if you are a bit older and want to cross the road with your normal bicycle. I shiver with the older cyclists.”
“Difficult to estimate distance to cars.”
The crossings are also quite a challenge for tourists. A couple from Amersfoort is doubting this afternoon at the crossing. “After this one? No, now the traffic is coming from the other side again. How dangerous.” Annie van Rijt-Van der Kant from Vlierden is also stressed, even though she is known in the area. “I am very careful. My husband dares to cross faster than me. It is difficult to estimate the distance to the cars here. Some motorists drive so fast here. I think it is terrible.”
A mother and daughter find out a little later. Mother just manages to cross the road, but her daughter only makes it through one lane and has to stop in the middle of the road. Fortunately, she gets to the other side safely, because cars slow down. “This is a really dangerous road,” she sighs.
A group of three ladies also want to cross, but the fear is visible on their faces. “It is so difficult because the traffic comes from both sides, there should be an intermediate verge or traffic island here. But then you will end up between trucks in both lanes,” sighs one of them.
Accidents have also occurred at the two crossing points in the past, according to the province. In the past ten years there have been two accidents at the intersection with the Oostappense dike near Ommel, both with material damage. And five years ago, one accident occurred at the intersection with the Rijntjesdijk, causing material damage. In 2009 and 2010, fatal accidents occurred at the intersection with the Oostappensedijk.
