Netherlands: the Merwedebrug (A27) has been closed to lorries since July — with no end date

Anyone linking the Dutch Randstad to southern Germany on the A27 has had one bridge fewer on the route since 18 July 2026. The Merwedebrug, between Gorinchem and Sleeuwijk, is closed to lorries and to coaches — scheduled service buses are still allowed.

Why it closed

Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch roads authority, confirms that inspections of the bridge’s arch structure found steel weaker than expected at several points. The ban has no end date: the bridge stays closed to heavy vehicles for as long as the structural assessment lasts.

The compulsory diversion

Two alternative routes are signed:

• A15 – A16 – A59
• A15 – A2 – A59

Dangerous goods may only use the A2. Neither alternative is a few-minute detour — the extra journey time is the whole point of this notice: if you plan this route from abroad, allow for it before setting off, not on arriving at the barrier.

Active enforcement

The ban is being enforced continuously, with roadside operations to catch offenders. It is not a paper restriction: building it into the plan avoids the fine and the delay of being turned back.

The Netherlands driving bans page has been updated with this point.