Traffic jams inevitable around A2 in Utrecht as roadworks continue; Hospitals need help

The Department of Public Works, Rijkswaterstaat, the municipality of Nieuwegein, and the safety region of Utrecht are taking various measures to combat traffic caused by Utrecht's construction on the A2 motorway. Last weekend, the construction led to long traffic jams in and around Nieuwegein, Houten, and IJsselstein.

The measures followed talks between Rijkswaterstaat, the municipality, and the safety region. Existing traffic lights are going to be adapted. They will stay on red longer to limit the inflow in Nieuwegein. The parties involved will also place more signs and more message trucks.

They will also put traffic wardens in busy areas. A team from Rijkswaterstaat and the municipality watches the situation every hour and arranges additional employment if necessary. They will pass the information about the hecticness on to the navigation services.

On Friday, the construction led to long traffic jams, even late at night. According to ANWB Verkeersinformatie, which provides traffic information, the traffic was "completely gridlocked." It was also busy on Saturday. Municipal employees handed out biscuits and water to road users who had gotten stuck.

Rijkswaterstaat is replacing the asphalt on the A2 near Utrecht towards the south with a quieter variant. The work will continue until 30 September.

The St. Antonius Ziekenhuis, which has hospitals in Utrecht and Nieuwegein, hopes that the next closure of a piece of A2 will not be a repeat of last Friday. ST. Antonius said that the traffic had "serious consequences" for the accessibility of the city and the hospital.

St. Antonius has requested that Rijkswaterstaat and the municipality of Nieuwegein "pay special attention to patients, visitors, and employees who are on their way to our hospital with urgency."

The road authority and the municipality hope to take several measures to make the next closure run more smoothly. The road will be closed again between the Oudenrijn and Everdingen junctions on Thursday from 9 p.m. for the rest of the weekend. The advice is to avoid motorways around Nieuwegein and Utrecht as much as possible. Carpooling, cycling, and public transport are encouraged.

A spokesperson said the hospital is happy with the measures. He added that whether it will be enough remains to be seen.

According to the hospital, the patient's care continued safely despite the hecticness. It took a lot of effort to achieve this. Various departments required employees to work longer hours because their replacements were stuck in traffic. Emergency department staff called referred patients to discuss how they could be helped as quickly as possible.

"Many people came in too late, patient and staff members," said the spokesperson. "Luckily, this did not lead to large accidents or deaths, but it did lead to a lot of discomfort." The turn of events was "disappointing and worrying for us," he added.

After the coming weekend, the road will also be closed on the weekends of 6 and 20 September.