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.

ROTTERDAM, 30 September 2025 – After six years of work, the new A16 motorway at the northern edge of Rotterdam is set to open in October. The road, including the Rottemerentunnel, will relieve traffic pressure on the A13 and A20 and improve connections to Dordrecht, Breda, Delft and The Hague.

Official opening and traffic schedule

Minister of Infrastructure Robert Tieman symbolically opened the road today. From Monday 6 October at 05.00, traffic can use the A16 Rotterdam towards Dordrecht and Breda. The direction towards Delft and The Hague will open later in the month, on 27 October at 05.00.

Ahead of these dates, existing routes will close briefly for connection works. The A13 and A16 will each shut for a weekend: 3–6 October and 24–27 October.

Design and features

The A16 Rotterdam runs for 11 kilometres, linking the A13 near Rotterdam The Hague Airport with the A16 at Terbregseplein. A key feature is the 2.2 kilometre Rottemerentunnel, which passes beneath the Lage Bergse Bos nature area and the River Rotte. The road also crosses the Bleiswijkse Vaart and three railway lines: RandstadRail, HSL-Zuid and the Rotterdam–Utrecht line.

The road includes junctions at Vliegveldweg, N471 (Doenkade), Ankie Verbeek-Ohrlaan, Terbregseweg and Hoofdweg. It provides two lanes in each direction, with three lanes on the busiest section between the N471 and the Ankie Verbeek-Ohrlaan. The speed limit is set at 100 km/h.

Impact on traffic and neighbourhoods

The motorway is expected to improve traffic flow in and around Rotterdam, reducing congestion on the A13 at Overschie and the A20 between Kleinpolderplein and Terbregseplein. Locally, it should reduce through-traffic in Hillegersberg, Terbregge, Ommoord and Overschie, contributing to better air quality and liveability.

Regional contributions funded features to minimise environmental impact, such as the semi-sunken land tunnel, noise barriers, quiet asphalt and new cycling infrastructure. Nature routes were preserved and the Lage Bergse Bos was upgraded to improve accessibility for visitors.

Rotterdam’s new A16 motorway opens in October

Sustainability

The A16 Rotterdam is the first Dutch motorway with a tunnel designed to be energy neutral. Three solar fields supply all electricity needed for tunnel and road systems, including lighting and safety installations. Excess energy is stored in batteries for use when sunlight is limited.

During construction, older materials such as crash barriers and road signs were reused, while electric machinery and sustainable fuels helped cut CO₂ emissions.

Open day for residents

On Saturday 27 September, before traffic was allowed, 15,000 visitors explored the new road during an open festival. Residents could walk or cycle through the Rottemerentunnel, join an audio tour, visit the temporary tunnel museum and enjoy performances by local groups. Special thanks were given to nearby residents for their patience during years of construction.

ROTTERDAM, 2 October 2025 – Motorists in Rotterdam and The Hague face severe disruption from 3 to 6 October due to large-scale roadworks on the A13, A16 and N11. Delays of more than an hour are expected on diversion routes.

Closures on the A13, A16 and N11

From Friday 3 October to Monday 6 October, several major routes will be closed. The A16 towards Dordrecht and Breda is fully closed between Terbregseplein and Ridderkerk, though the parallel lane remains open from the Capelle aan den IJssel/Centrum (25) entrance. The A13 towards Rotterdam is shut between Delft-Zuid and Kleinpolderplein. The N209 towards Bergschenhoek is also closed, as well as parts of the N11 near Alphen aan den Rijn.

Diversion routes and expected impact

Through traffic from Amsterdam will be redirected via Utrecht, using the A2 and A12. Traffic from The Hague will be diverted via the A4 and A15. Local traffic from Capelle aan den IJssel and Rotterdam can still enter the A16 towards Dordrecht and Breda at the Rotterdam-Centrum entrance (25). Rijkswaterstaat warns that detours may add over an hour to journeys and urges drivers not to use local roads, which could block emergency services and create unsafe situations.

Advice to drivers

Motorists are advised to reconsider whether their journeys are necessary during the affected weekend. Alternatives such as travelling at different times, using public transport, or avoiding the region altogether are strongly recommended. Up-to-date traffic information is available on digital panels, yellow roadside signs, and via the Rijkswaterstaat traffic information website.

Purpose of the works

The closures are needed to connect the new A16 Rotterdam to existing roads. Rijkswaterstaat will complete links with the A13 and A16, while also carrying out major maintenance on the A16 between Terbregseplein and Ridderkerk and resurfacing work on the N11.

Works continuing after 6 October

On 6 October, the new A16 Rotterdam will open in the direction of Dordrecht and Breda. A further closure is planned from 24 to 27 October to finalise the connection towards Delft and The Hague, after which the road will open in both directions. Maintenance on the A16 and N11 will continue with additional weekend closures in the months ahead.

Why it matters

Much of the Dutch road network dates back to the 1950s and 1960s. With heavier traffic and larger vehicles today, roads require renewal and reinforcement. The A16 Rotterdam is designed to improve regional traffic flow, reduce congestion, and cut back on through-traffic in residential areas.

ROTTERDAM, 23 April 2025 – Free public transport will be offered to weekend visitors at select P+R locations in May, as part of a municipal campaign encouraging the use of park-and-ride services as a practical alternative to city-centre traffic and parking.

Free public transport at Rotterdam P+R sites this May

Four promotional weekends have been announced by the municipality of Rotterdam to encourage more visitors to make use of the city’s park-and-ride (P+R) facilities. On the weekends of 3–4, 10–11, 17–18, and 24–25 May 2025, visitors to P+R Meijersplein and P+R Alexander will receive free public transport tickets valid for that same weekend.

These actions are intended to promote the convenience of combining parking with public transport as a stress-free way to visit the city. Normally, parking is free at P+R sites only when travellers continue their journey by public transport. During the campaign weekends, the entire journey — parking and public transport — will be free of charge.

Tickets will be distributed on-site between 11:00 and 16:00.

Expansion of P+R network underway

The municipality aims to increase the appeal and capacity of the P+R system in coming years. A total of 2,500 new parking spaces are planned across Meijersplein and Kralingse Zoom. Additionally, a feasibility study is being conducted to evaluate the possibility of opening a new P+R facility in Blijdorp.

Further efforts include the development of combination tickets, new subscription formats, and consultation with public transport operator RET to explore increases in service frequency.

The city council has received an update from the mayor and aldermen on these developments.

Encouraging weekend use

While weekday usage of P+R sites has steadily increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, weekend and evening use remains relatively low. The municipality hopes that targeted actions such as the May promotions will help change this pattern.

Alderman Lansink, responsible for mobility, explained:
“We want to keep the city accessible for those who really depend on cars. The more people find their way to our P+R sites, the less pressure there will be on city-centre traffic — especially now, with so many roadworks. There’s no need to avoid Rotterdam. Come to shop, work or enjoy the city, but do consider how you travel. If you can, take public transport or park at one of our P+R facilities.”

Positive response to past campaign

A similar campaign held in November and December 2024 resulted in an 18% increase in use of Meijersplein compared to the previous year. Surveys indicated that users were satisfied with the cost, ease of transfer to public transport, and overall experience. Approximately 70% of respondents recommended P+R travel.

Additional features such as decorative lighting and designated spaces for women and families were trialled to enhance comfort and safety — measures which were received positively and may be repeated.

Supporting a growing city

Rotterdam’s population continues to grow, increasing the demand on transport infrastructure. The city is also facing spatial challenges, needing to accommodate housing, greenery, and improved pedestrian and cyclist facilities.

Ongoing developments such as the transformation of Hofplein into a greener, pedestrian-friendly area are part of this broader urban vision. The municipality views P+R as a key part of the strategy to maintain accessibility without adding to inner-city congestion.

Location and directions

P+R Meijersplein is located near Rotterdam The Hague Airport and is accessible via the RandstadRail Metro line E. P+R Alexander lies adjacent to Rotterdam Alexander railway station and shopping centre Alexandrium. Both sites are located outside the congested city core and are well connected by public transport.

These locations offer a practical alternative for visitors wishing to avoid inner-city traffic and parking costs.

P+R Meijersplein

P+R Alexander