The Wijkertunnel near Beverwijk has reopened to traffic following nearly a month of closure on the A9 highway.
Drivers can now travel directly along the route again, ending weeks of required detours between northern areas like Alkmaar and regions south toward Amstelveen.
New ventilation equipment installed
The temporary closure began on July 12 to allow maintenance crews to replace the tunnel’s essential safety systems.
Work involved installing seventeen brand new industrial fans designed to clear out dangerous smoke and fumes in the event of an emergency inside the structure.
Manageable summer traffic impact
National infrastructure agency Rijkswaterstaat guided motorists around the closure using alternative routes along the neighboring A22 Velsertunnel and the A7 motorway.
Traffic officials noted that severe delays were largely avoided during the four-week maintenance window.
Congestion levels remained similar to standard rush-hour conditions outside of peak summer holiday periods.
Officials credited the manageable traffic levels partly to residents opting for bicycles or public transport instead of driving while the highway section was shut down.
