ROTTERDAM, 6 October 2025 – The new A16 motorway in Rotterdam officially opened to traffic early Monday morning, creating a faster and quieter route along the city’s northern edge.
At 04:00, the first cars entered the new road towards Dordrecht and Breda. The milestone follows more than six years of construction on one of the most complex infrastructure projects in the region. The opposite direction, towards Delft and The Hague, will open on 27 October.
First drive through the Rottemeren Tunnel
The opening drive was led by two Rijkswaterstaat escort vehicles. Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Robert Tieman, Rijkswaterstaat Director-General Martin Wijnen, and local resident Nel Overes, aged 90, were among the first to cross the new connection and pass through the 2.2-kilometre Rottemeren Tunnel. Fittingly, Overes made the journey in an old-timer from her year of birth.
Minister Tieman commented: “With the opening of the A16 Rotterdam, a long-standing wish of this region is finally fulfilled. Two of the country’s top ten congestion hotspots will now be addressed, and drivers will soon feel the difference.”
Smoother traffic and cleaner neighbourhoods
The A16 Rotterdam is designed to improve traffic flow between the city and neighbouring Lansingerland, while easing pressure on residential areas such as Hillegersberg, Terbregge, Ommoord and Overschie. Traffic modelling suggests a major reduction in jams on the A13 near Overschie and the A20 between Kleinpolderplein and Terbregseplein.
However, Rijkswaterstaat warns that drivers will need time to adjust to the new layout. As traffic patterns change, surrounding access roads may experience short-term congestion near the new interchanges.
Next phase: direction The Hague opens 27 October
The project’s final stage will be completed later this month. On Monday 27 October at 05:00, the northbound direction towards Delft and The Hague will open to the public. To connect the final sections, the A13 and A16 northbound will be closed from Friday evening, as will the N209 towards Rotterdam The Hague Airport.
Part of a wider renewal effort
The A16 Rotterdam forms part of a larger renewal programme by Rijkswaterstaat. Across the country, roads, tunnels and bridges built in the 1950s and 1960s are being upgraded to meet modern demands — from heavier traffic and larger vehicles to extreme weather events. In the Rotterdam region, this includes maintenance on the A20, A15 and several key junctions.
Keeping the country moving
The ministry emphasises that maintaining and renewing the national road network is essential for mobility, trade and daily life. Reliable infrastructure keeps people connected — for work, education, holidays, family visits and logistics. “By modernising our roads, bridges and tunnels, we ensure the Netherlands remains a country that moves safely and efficiently,” Rijkswaterstaat stated.
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