Zuidelijke Ringweg faces repairs for leaks and asphalt cracks

The new Zuidelijke Ringweg in Groningen is facing multiple infrastructure issues requiring significant repairs. Contractors from Combinatie Herepoort will begin digging a large hole in the Zuiderplantsoen, measuring approximately 100 meters long and 10 meters wide, to address a leakage in a cable tunnel located two meters underground. This tunnel contains electrical cables for the ring road's lighting, and water ingress poses a risk of short circuits.

Repair work in the Zuiderplantsoen is scheduled from September 17 to October 23. While some trees must be temporarily removed to facilitate the work, the contractor stated that all vegetation will eventually be restored.

Additional maintenance is required at other locations. In the Kieler Bocht, near the Hoogezand connection, contractors will replace approximately 70 trees and 14,000 roses due to poor soil conditions, alongside installing a new drainage gutter. Furthermore, cracks have appeared in the asphalt at Vrijheidsplein. These will be temporarily filled with bitumen while the cause is investigated during the winter. While some lane closures are expected near Hoogezand, contractors currently report that traffic should not face major disruptions.