Overview
- Rijkswaterstaat has started reinforcing roughly 1,000 weld connections under the heavily loaded right-hand lane toward Bergen op Zoom using steel plates and bolted overcladding.
- Authorities aim to finish the intervention before winter 2027, with the package of reinforcements and extra inspections estimated at €15 million.
- Fortnightly inspections are underway, and officials warn the weld material behaves unpredictably, so a residual risk remains during the works.
- Contingency plans allow for temporary lane closures or, if cracks worsen significantly, a full bridge closure.
- Road traffic is currently unaffected, while navigation under the fixed span faces restricted clearance where work is taking place and the movable span continues to open for taller vessels.