Dutch main highway will undergo closure from late August
A12 Motorway Closure in the Netherlands: Renovation and Detours
The A12 motorway in the Netherlands will be closed for renovation from August 22 to September 1, 2025, between the Maanderbroek and Lunetten junctions [1]. This closure will require long detours, potentially adding over an hour to travel times, especially for trucks heading from Germany towards The Hague and Rotterdam [1].
Impact of the Closure
The detour for traffic will extend approximately 40 kilometers, routing vehicles via the A30, A1, and A27 [1]. Rijkswaterstaat advises drivers to plan ahead, consider public transport, or use alternative routes to mitigate disruptions [1]. The closure affects a key transport corridor for goods moving from Germany to the Netherlands’ major ports [1].
While the opposite direction (towards Arnhem) remains open, minor roadworks are ongoing there [1]. Commuters who cycle to work during this time are entitled to a free inspection [6]. Rijkswaterstaat encourages the Dutch to try other means of transport during the closure.
Renovation and Future Expansion
The section of the A12 between Lunetten interchange near Utrecht and Maanderbrook interchange near Ede was already renovated in May [2]. This current closure is aimed at renewing the asphalt, maintaining greenery, inspecting lighting, guardrails, and signs [2].
In addition to the current renovation, Rijkswaterstaat has signed a contract in July for further expansion of the A12, with roads expected to be ready by 2031 [3]. The ViA15 project, a $1.4 billion infrastructure initiative, includes the widening of 23 kilometers of the A12 near Arnhem and Zevenaar, as well as extending the A15 by 12 kilometers [3]. This project aims to improve connectivity between Rotterdam’s ports and Germany’s industrial areas, easing congestion and creating a more reliable east-west corridor [3].
Recent construction activity around the A12 includes the innovative placement of a 230-foot prefabricated tunnel segment to expand the highway, completed during a prior weekend closure on August 15–16, 2025 [4][5]. These developments reflect the ongoing comprehensive efforts by Dutch authorities to enhance road infrastructure capacity, safety, and logistics flows on the A12 corridor, which remains critical for freight and passenger transport in the Netherlands [1][3][4][5].
The stretch in the opposite direction, from Germany towards the coast, remains open [1]. The A12 runs for about 140 kilometers from the coast past Arnhem to the border crossing at Zevenaar [7].
[1] Rijkswaterstaat press release
[2] Rijkswaterstaat press release
[3] Rijkswaterstaat press release
[4] Rijkswaterstaat press release
[5] Rijkswaterstaat press release
[6] Rijkswaterstaat press release
[7] Rijkswaterstaat website
The closure of the A12 motorway for renovation will disrupt transportation, potentially causing delays for trucks heading from Germany towards The Hague and Rotterdam, thereby impacting industry and finance, as they move goods to the Netherlands’ major ports. The said renovation is part of a larger plan by Rijkswaterstaat to expand the A12, aiming to improve connectivity between Rotterdam’s ports and Germany’s industrial areas, thus easing congestion and supporting a more reliable east-west corridor in terms of freight and passenger transport.
