Merwede Bridge on the A27 reopens after early finish of weight-cutting work

Work on the Merwede Bridge on the A27 near Gorinchem finished ahead of schedule, Rijkswaterstaat said, so the span opened sooner than planned. It was closed on Thursday evening. The closure had been originally set to last until Monday morning.

Crews replaced the existing asphalt with a thinner, lighter layer, cutting about 400 tons from the bridge. The agency said the weight reduction is needed so the structure can stay in use safely while a new Merwede Bridge is built.

A 70-kilometer-per-hour speed limit is now in effect. “This is necessary because of height differences that can form at the explansion joints,” the highway authority said.

The ban on trucks and tour bases remains. Those heavy vehicles have been barred from crossing since July, after inspectors found that the 65-year-old structure was weaker than expected and could no longer guarantee safety.

About 18,000 trucks a day normally used the bridge. The traffic fell sharply after the ban but did not drop completely. In August, police ran a checkpoint, where fines were issued if needed.