Cyclists and pedestrians using Groningen’s Gerrit Krolbrug crossing face approximately two years of disruption from spring 2027, under the contractor’s newly announced construction plan. The western cycle and pedestrian bridge could reopen in spring 2029, ahead of the full crossing later that year.
There will be no temporary replacement crossing during construction. Rijkswaterstaat says the alternatives it examined could not be delivered within the available budget, and no additional funding is available. Users will have to travel via the Noordzeebrug or the Oostersluis.
For students whose daily journeys cross the canal here, the implications extend beyond an occasional late arrival. The closure could shape the route to lectures, work and friends across several academic years.
The immediate news is the selection of a builder. On 21 October, Rijkswaterstaat announced that Combinatie Bruggen- en Sluizen Alliantie, or BSA, had won the contract. The consortium comprises Mobilis, Iemants and Groningen-based Machinefabriek Rusthoven. Its plan keeps the existing access ramps in place until spring 2027.
The published construction sequence is:
| Period | Planned work or opening |
|---|---|
| Late 2026 or early 2027 | Site preparation and establishment of the construction area. |
| Early 2027 | Archaeological investigation and relocation of cables and pipes. |
| Spring 2027 | Removal of the cycle-bridge ramps and closure of the crossing. |
| Spring 2029 | Target opening of the western cycle and pedestrian bridge. |
| Later in 2029 | Full opening to traffic. |
These are planning milestones. An exact closure day has not been announced in the contract-award notice.
The schedule separates site preparation, closure and reopening. Students should watch for a specific closure notice before changing their route.
The crossing links the Korreweg and Ulgersmaweg sides of the Van Starkenborghkanaal. Its troubled recent history began long before this week’s announcement: a ship struck the original road bridge in May 2021, damaging it beyond repair. The wider replacement project also involves changing the canal alignment and widening its bend to improve navigation.
During construction, the best alternative will depend on the journey. Rijkswaterstaat’s diversion guidance generally directs users from De Hunze, Van Starkenborgh and Beijum towards the Noordzeebrug. For some destinations, including the station, UMCG and Oosterparkwijk, the route through the Oostersluis can be more convenient.
The agency estimates that most cyclists will travel one to two kilometres farther, adding approximately five to ten minutes each way. The extra distance can reach three kilometres for a journey directly between opposite sides of the closed crossing. Those cycling estimates should not be treated as walking times or guarantees for every rider.
The cumulative effect is easy to underestimate. For someone making five return journeys a week, an additional ten minutes in each direction would mean 100 extra minutes of travel weekly. That is an illustration, not a forecast for every student: the actual difference depends on the home address, destination and chosen route.
The lack of a temporary crossing has a practical explanation, although it leaves users with the longer journey. Rijkswaterstaat says a route over the nearby Busbaanbrug was technically possible but too expensive. Long approach ramps, contaminated ground and measures to separate people from buses contributed to the cost. Ferries and pontoon crossings were also assessed; the agency cites capacity, shipping and safety problems with those options.
The diversion plans include 11 traffic-safety measures. Among them are changes to crossings, additional green-light time for cyclists at the Boterdiepbrug junction and a separate pedestrian path beside the cycle route along Oosterhamriklaan. The authorities have also examined lighting and visibility with local organisations. These measures aim to accommodate the additional traffic on the alternative routes.
For students considering a room north of the canal, this is worth including in a viewing. Test the journey using a diversion, including the final approach to your faculty or workplace. A room can remain a good choice, but the current journey time may give an incomplete picture of the next two years.
Existing users can prepare by comparing both alternatives before the closure. Try the route at the time you normally travel and identify difficult crossings or poorly lit sections. Anyone who cannot reasonably use the diversion should raise their specific journey with the project team while arrangements are still being developed.
Rijkswaterstaat, the municipality and the contractor plan information meetings for late November, with dates and locations to follow. Those meetings will address the design, construction timetable and measures to limit disruption.
The official project page and questions-and-contact page are the places to check for updates. The next details regular users need are the precise closure date, the final diversion arrangements and how people with limited mobility will be supported throughout the works.
