Amsterdam closing IJ Tunnel for 16 months; Wretched traffic likely from mid-2027
The municipality of Amsterdam announced Tuesday that the IJ Tunnel, the city’s main roadway connecting Centrum to Noord, will close for major maintenance from mid-2027 through at least late 2028. The tunnel, built in 1968, requires extensive work on ventilation, lighting, monitoring and security systems, and asphalt. Officials said the precise start date and exact duration will be confirmed later this year, but the maintenance is expected to take at least 16 months.
City authorities warned that the closure will have “major consequences for accessibility in the entire city and especially in the Noord district,” affecting tens of thousands of motorists and bus riders who rely on the tunnel daily. The municipality is already engaging with residents, businesses, and interest groups to discuss the planned works, mitigation measures, and alternative travel arrangements.
“The closure will have major consequences for accessibility in the entire city and especially in the Noord district,” the municipality said. “We want to prepare everyone who uses the tunnel and limit the inconvenience as much as possible.”
The expected disruption mirrors the impact of the 18-month closure of the Piet Heintunnel in Oost from mid-2021 to January 2023. That closure caused constant traffic jams, long delays, noise disturbances, and air pollution.
The IJ Tunnel is one of only two major road tunnels connecting Noord to Centrum. Apart from the Piet Heintunnel, motorists must rely on the A10 ring road. Pedestrians and cyclists can use overcrowded ferries, the Noord/Zuidlijn metro—which has a history of technical issues—or a lengthy detour through Oost to Sluisbuurt and back to Noord.
City officials noted that the IJ Tunnel maintenance is part of a broader wave of infrastructure projects, including work on the A10 Zuid, the A5, and major city roads such as the Van Diemenstraat, Gooiseweg, and Amstelveenseweg.
Amsterdam is already experiencing near-permanent traffic pressure, with disruptions occurring almost every weekend due to ongoing roadwork. Officials warned that the tunnel closure will compound congestion across the city, particularly during accidents, events, or bad weather.
