Papendrecht Bridge (N3) to shut for nine months, free ferries to replace traffic

The Papendrechtsebrug (N3), a key link between Dordrecht and Papendrecht in the Drechtsteden region, will be closed to all traffic from 23:00 on 17 July 2026 until 21 April 2027 for extensive renovation of its moving deck, mechanics and control systems.

During the nine‑month closure, two free ferry services operate between Papendrecht and Dordrecht. A larger pont carries up to 200 passengers with bicycles, while a smaller one holds about 80 passengers; both run roughly every ten minutes on weekdays (half‑hourly at night). A second pont began service on Saturday 18 July at 06:00.

Motorists are expected to face 30–60 minutes of additional travel time and are advised to use alternative routes via the A15, A16 and A27. The bicycle lane on the bridge is also closed, prompting some schools to shift start times and offering free public transport alternatives. Rijkswaterstaat oversees the works and the limited impact on shipping is noted.