Merwedebrug reopens early after weight-reducing maintenance

The Merwedebrug on the A27 motorway near Gorinchem has reopened to traffic earlier than scheduled following maintenance work. Rijkswaterstaat reported that the bridge, which connects Gorinchem and Werkendam, was reopened on Saturday night after being closed since Thursday.

To ensure the structural safety of the 65-year-old bridge, workers replaced the existing asphalt with a thinner, lighter layer. This modification has reduced the bridge's total weight by approximately 400 tons. The weight reduction is a necessary measure because the steel in the bridge's arch construction was found to be weaker than previously estimated.

Despite the reopening, several restrictions remain in place. A ban on heavy trucks and touring cars continues, as these vehicles must still use alternative routes. Additionally, a maximum speed limit of 70 km/h has been implemented for all motorists to account for height differences at the road joints. The bridge is slated for full replacement, with construction on a new bridge already underway; the current structure will be demolished once the new one is completed, a process expected to take several years.