Gridlock around A28 after bridge closed for emergency repairs

Traffic on one of the main east-to-west routes through the Netherlands ground to a standstill on Tuesday morning after a motorway bridge was closed for emergency repairs.

The A28 has been closed at Nijkerk since Monday afternoon, when the highways agency Rijkswaterstaat closed the Hardenbergerbrug in both directions.

The motoring organisation ANWB reported a 23km tailback on the diversionary route on the A1 at 8.30am on Monday and 4km on the A704. Traffic was also at a standstill through Nijkerk.

The bridge was due to be repaired in November, but during an inspection the agency found that large quantities of sand and gravel around the concrete supports had washed away.

“The pillars are unstable and we can’t guarantee people’s safety,” spokeswoman Marike Broos told NOS.

The cycle bridge beneath the road and the canal below have also been closed to traffic.

Rijkswaterstaat is carrying out emergency repairs to support the bridge with sand and gravel before the strengthening works start in November, but it is not known when the road will reopen.