Dozens of trucks defy ban on driving across unsafe Merwede bridge near Gorinchem
Dozens of trucks, including vehicles with Dutch license plates, continue to cross the Merwede Bridge on the A27 despite an indefinite ban on freight traffic. The ban took effect Saturday.
The bridge near Gorinchem was closed to trucks after inspections revealed that the steel in several places is weaker than previously thought. Officials said the safety of the structure could no longer be guaranteed under heavy loads.
A NOS reporter on the scene counted dozens of trucks passing over the bridge in just half an hour. Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch government agency responsible for the bridge, also observed freight vehicles continuing to use the crossing and is examining options for enforcement.
"But that is not something that can be arranged from one day to the next," a Rijkswaterstaat spokesperson said.
Rijkswaterstaat does not expect to close the bridge to all traffic at this time. The agency is conducting further inspections into the bridge's precise condition.
"We are now conducting further research into the exact condition of the bridge, but we are dependent on whether the freight traffic really stays off it," the spokesperson said.
Under pressure from heavy traffic, the steel plates in the arch risk deforming, which could affect the overall construction. The bridge is due for replacement.
Passenger cars, motorcycles, and delivery vans are still permitted to use the Merwede Bridge. Line buses and emergency services are also exempt from the ban.
Freight traffic is being diverted via the A16 and the A2. Transport of dangerous goods is rerouted via the A2.
The provinces of Noord-Brabant and Zuid-Holland say they understand why freight trucks are no longer allowed on the Merwede Bridge, but they are worried about the impact.
“We are very concerned about logistics and accessibility in this area,” said Zuid-Holland deputy Jeroen van Dijken (VVD). “Safety comes first, but governments and businesses must jointly do everything possible to limit the disruption.”
Noord-Brabant provincial executive Stijn Smeulders (PvdA) said he understands the truck ban from a safety perspective.
“You don’t want to think about what could happen if something actually goes wrong with the Merwede Bridge,” Smeulders said. “That’s why we understand the measure, but at the same time it is a sign of the state of our national infrastructure.”
