DisastersTransport and Travel

Safety concerns over Dutch bridges with prestressing steel

◆5 sources

Follow the Money reported that at least 16 bridges in the Netherlands may be at risk of collapsing without warning because of a defect in prestressing steel wires embedded in concrete. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management was reportedly aware of the problem, while recommended measures had largely not been implemented. The reports said the number of affected bridges could be higher. Bridges identified in the reports included Cadettenkamp on the A27 near Breda, the West Viaduct over the A9 near Uitgeest, a railway viaduct on the A67 near Geldrop, and the Oosterhoutsebrug in Oosterhout. Rijkswaterstaat said the A9 viaduct at Uitgeest, last inspected in 2021, is safe for traffic.