Trade organization Transport and Logistics Netherlands (TLN) is investigating whether it can take legal action due to the closure of the Merwede Bridge for freight traffic. Rijkswaterstaat concluded this weekend that it could no longer guarantee the safety of the bridge, and freight traffic was therefore immediately no longer allowed to drive over the bridge.

TLN calls the closure “rightly” from a safety point of view, but wonders whether the government has done enough to prevent the closure.

“This bridge also faced similar problems in 2016. Ten years later we are faced with the same situation again,” says chairman Elisabeth Post. “Then the question is justified as to whether there is negligence on the part of the government as manager of our infrastructure. That is why we are investigating what legal steps are possible.”

An extra 1.5 million euros every day

The Merwedebrug near Gorinchem connects the A27 between Brabant and South Holland. It is an important traffic artery for trucks on their way from the Breda area to Utrecht.

Due to the closure, trucks have to detour via the A15, A16 and also the A2. Rijkswaterstaat does not yet know exactly how much extra travel time that will be. They assume an extra 45 to 60 minutes. TLN estimates the economic damage to the sector at around 1.5 million euros per day.

TLN is now looking at next steps. A spokesperson cannot yet say whether this will lead to a claim for damages. “It is quite a step that we are investigating this. We are consulting with lawyers about how we can proceed in this regard.”

Inspection

Rijkswaterstaat made the decision after an inspection of the bridge. The steel is weaker in some places than previously thought. The pressure of heavy traffic can cause the steel plates of the arch to deform, which in turn can affect the structure.

The bridge was also closed as a precaution in 2016. Then hairline cracks were found in the supporting beams. The closure lasted almost three months at the time.