Truck overturns on A12 near Utrecht, causing major traffic delays until 9 p.m.
A truck overturned on the A12 near the Lunetten interchange, triggering severe traffic congestion in and around Utrecht. Rijkswaterstaat has urged drivers to avoid the city and surrounding roads as significant delays are expected throughout the day.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:37 p.m. when the truck veered off course and overturned, spilling oil onto the roadway. The spill, combined with damage to the asphalt, led to the closure of the parallel lanes heading toward The Hague. In addition, the connecting roads from the A27 to the A12 parallel lanes have also been blocked. Emergency services, including the fire department, have been on-site to manage the situation, with cleanup operations expected to continue until at least 9:00 p.m.
As a result, traffic jams have formed on the A12, A27, and A28, with local roads, including the Waterlinieweg, also experiencing heavy congestion. Rush hour traffic is facing delays in both directions on the A12, as well as on the southbound A27, which intersects with the A12, and the westbound A28, which drivers may be using as an alternate route into Utrecht.
Traffic is also jammed on the N237/Utrechtseweg and the Beneluxlaan as commuters try to find a way home from work. Rijkswaterstaat warned that, with the evening rush hour approaching, conditions are likely to worsen. Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes, and real-time updates on detours are being provided via electronic signs above the roads.
A heavy-duty tow truck has been called in to right the overturned vehicle, and the traffic that had been trapped by road closures has been redirected. However, Rijkswaterstaat anticipates that significant delays will persist until at least 9:00 p.m.
