The Netherlands closes a tunnel on the route to Belgium

The Dutch infrastructure authority has scheduled a series of night closures of the Drechttunnel on the A16 motorway in 2026. The restrictions, related to maintenance and additional technical works, may affect the capacity of a key transport corridor connecting the port region of Rotterdam with the Belgian border and further with Antwerp and France.

The tunnel is an important part of the transport corridor linking the port area of Rotterdam with the Belgian border and further with Antwerp and France. Therefore, the restrictions may impact international freight transport and port-related traffic. Maintenance works are carried out four times a year and each time involve the closure of one tunnel tube in a given direction. During the closure, traffic is routed through the other tube.

Although at least one tube remains open, drivers should expect reduced capacity, possible congestion and longer travel times.

Key dates (March–April)

❌ Direction Breda:
▫️ March 2/3 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ March 4/5 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ March 17/18 (22:30–05:00)
▫️ March 24/25 (21:00–01:00)
▫️ March 30/31 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ March 31/April 1 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ April 7 (21:00–00:00)
▫️ April 29/30 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ April 30/May 1 (21:00–05:00)

❌ Direction Rotterdam:
▫️ March 3/4 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ March 5/6 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ March 16/17 (21:00–01:00)
▫️ April 1/2 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ April 2/3 (21:00–05:00)
▫️ April 8/9 (23:00–02:00)
▫️ April 17 (21:00–00:00)

Additional closures are also planned in May, September and December.