A4 in the Netherlands with restrictions – Beneluxtunnel to be closed at night

Recurring maintenance works in the Beneluxtunnel under the Nieuwe Maas will reduce capacity on one of the key transport corridors in western Netherlands, potentially leading to delays in container and intermodal transport.

In 2026, cyclical night-time closures related to routine infrastructure maintenance are scheduled in the Beneluxtunnel on the A4 motorway. For carriers operating to and from the ports of Rotterdam, this means the need to factor in detours and extended transit times.

The A4 is one of the main transport arteries in western Netherlands. It connects the area of The Hague with the Rotterdam metropolitan region and constitutes a vital corridor for container transport, intermodal operations, and regional distribution across the Benelux area. The Beneluxtunnel, running beneath the Nieuwe Maas, is a critical bottleneck on this route. Any reduction in capacity directly affects heavy goods vehicle traffic flow.

Closure schedule – direction Rotterdam/ Pernis

On the following dates, one tunnel tube will be closed in the direction of Pernis/Rotterdam Hoogvliet (always between 21:00 and 05:00):
• 16/17 February (Tube B)
• 17/18 February (Tube A)
• 20/21 February (Tube B)
• 4/5 May (Tube B)
• 5/6 May (Tube A)
• 31 August / 1 September (Tube B)
• 1/2 September (Tube A)
• 16/17 November (Tube B)
• 17/18 November (Tube A)

Closure schedule – direction The Hague

Closures of one tunnel tube in the direction of The Hague (mainly 21:00–05:00):
• 18/19 February (Tube E)
• 19/20 February (Tube D)
• 20/21 February (Tube D – until 22:00)*
• 2/3 March (Tube E)
• 6/7 March (Tube E)
• 6/7 May (Tube E)
• 7/8 May (Tube D)
• 5/6 June (Tube D – until 22:00)*
• 28/29 August (Tube D)*
• 2/3 September (Tube E)
• 3/4 September (Tube D)
• 13/14 November (Tube D)*
• 18/19 November (Tube E)
• 19/20 November (Tube D)

* On selected dates, due to works in the Ketheltunnel (A4), Tube D of the Beneluxtunnel towards The Hague will additionally be closed, which may increase traffic pressure on alternative routes.

Although one tube will remain open in each direction, overall capacity will be reduced and traffic will be channelled through narrowed lanes. In practice, this means that when planning night-time transport operations in the Rotterdam–The Hague region, it is advisable to check current traffic advisories before entering the Netherlands.