Governments to invest €175 million in making Groningen more accessible

The governments are going to invest 175 million euros in projects to make Groningen more accessible and improve the connection of the city with the northwestern part of the province. The large-scale operation is partly necessary to make the 11,000 homes that are being built up to 2040 on the western side of the city of Groningen more accessible.

The project will consist of larger and smaller measures, which all need further development. The largest project is the deepening of the western ring road. Around 40 million euros of the budget will go to laying on new cycling routes, something that was requested by the residents.

Money will also be invested into making walking and public transport more attractive. The municipality and province will pay half, and the government is going to pay the other half. This still requires approval from the Provincial States and the municipal council.

At the West End junction, a connecting road will be constructed over the deepened ring road from 2029, with a cycling and walking path. This construction is expected to be completed in three years.

Eventually, the plan is for the whole western ring road to be deepened. First, the node Reitdiepplein will be rebuilt and newly designed for cars, buses, and cycling traffic. This is where the access road to the De Nieuwe Held district will be located. That work is expected to start in 2028.

In addition, the N355 road will be widened with bus lanes, a long-standing wish of the province. That road is known as one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in the province. Measures are also being taken to combat cut-through traffic. A new cycling bridge will be built over the Reitdiep. The Suikerzijderoute, which was opened last year, will be extended to the city center and the industrial terrain of Westpoort.

“With the plans for Reitdiepplein and the measures on the N355, we will make this part of the road more attractive and safe for buses and cars,” city representative Johan Hamster said. “Cycling between Groningen and Zuidhorn will also be more attractive and safer, especially because the traffic lights will be taken away at Slaperstil.”

Groningen Alderman Philip Broeksma is positive about the investments in more and better cycling connections. He envisions “a city that you can cross through by foot or on a bicycle, safe, quick, and comfortable. And no longer a matter of course by car."

The intention is for the government and the region to seal the agreements before the summer.