Sinkhole on A12 near Arnhem sealed after days of traffic disruptions

A sinkhole in the median of the A12 highway near Arnhem has been sealed, ending several days of major traffic disruptions. The main lane toward Germany, closed since Thursday between Velperbroek interchange and the IJssel bridges, remains blocked while crews finalize road markings and allow the new asphalt to cool.

The sinkhole, discovered overnight Wednesday during roadworks, measured about two meters deep and one square meter wide near a bridgehead of one of the IJssel bridges. Rijkswaterstaat said heavy rain had washed sand under the road into a hollow in the bridge foundation. Part of the asphalt was removed Thursday night to inspect the damage.

Crews excavated the embankment down to the concrete foundation and installed a new wall to prevent further erosion. A fresh asphalt layer was applied Sunday morning. Rijkswaterstaat said it is unclear if the lane will reopen in time for Monday morning traffic, but repairs are “on schedule.”

Traffic was severely impacted during the closure. Commuters faced delays of up to 50 minutes on the A12 around Arnhem, while surrounding roads, including the A50 and A325 near Nijmegen, experienced congestion from detours and a separate accident on the Waalbrug.