Merwedebrug closure fuels costly detours and compensation claims
The 65‑year‑old Merwedebrug on the A27 was closed to freight traffic after a structural assessment revealed weakened steel. Rijkswaterstaat issued an immediate truck ban, but poor signage and enforcement allowed hundreds of trucks to continue using the bridge, prompting transport firms to reroute via the Moerdijkbrug (A16), Papendrechtsebrug (N3) and the A59. Detours add up to an hour of delay and the sector estimates losses of about €1.5 million per day.
The transport association TLN advises affected companies to apply for "nadelcompensatie" from Rijkswaterstaat, documenting extra kilometres, fuel, tolls and staffing costs. Eligibility requires at least a 2 % loss in turnover or increase in expenses compared with the previous year. TLN is also exploring legal action against the state over the abrupt closure.
Rijkswaterstaat plans to install ANPR cameras to detect illegal trucks and impose fines of up to €500. The situation highlights coordination challenges for Dutch road authorities and the financial strain on logistics operators.