Drivers of microcars and scooters could eventually gain access to the IJtunnel under a new proposal submitted to the Amsterdam city council.
Political party Volt wants the municipality to investigate whether these light vehicles can safely use the major underwater passage once planned maintenance begins.
New routes needed
Microcars, also known as 45-km/h vehicles, face increasing travel difficulties across the IJ river following strict enforcement of rules banning them from local ferries.
Drivers currently face lengthy detours via the Schellingwouderbrug in the east or the Hempont ferry near Zaandam to move between Amsterdam North and the center.
Future infrastructure plans offer little relief, as the proposed Oostbrug connection will not accommodate these vehicles either.
Exploiting planned renovation
The IJtunnel is scheduled for an extensive renovation starting in the summer of 2027, which will close the structure for over a year.
Volt council member Pim van Burk believes this major project offers an ideal window to assess structural and technical adjustments for slower traffic.
He has submitted formal questions to traffic alderman Elise Moeskops regarding potential legal, engineering, and traffic flow obstacles.
Reducing ferry congestion
Advocates argue that allowing scooters and microcars in the tunnel under a 50 km/h speed limit could relieve pressure on crowded municipal transport.
Redirecting these motorized vehicles off the public ferries would free up valuable deck space for pedestrians and cyclists using services managed by GVB.
Previous studies examined converting the tunnel into a cycle path, but city officials rejected those plans in 2020 due to steep inclines.
Broader transport challenges
The proposal comes as the City of Amsterdam struggles with rising infrastructure costs for new bridges across the IJ waterway.
Recent regional transport research also revealed that nearly half of microcar drivers are unfamiliar with local traffic regulations, often causing accidental guidance onto forbidden routes.
The city council’s mobility committee is expected to debate the IJtunnel proposal following the summer recess.