A32 reopens near Grou after emergency repairs; other aqueducts to be inspected

The A32 motorway near Grou in Friesland reopened in both directions shortly before midnight on Friday, after emergency repairs to a lighting system above the road were completed sooner than expected. Rijkswaterstaat will also inspect other aqueducts in the north of the Netherlands for wear or damage to their lights.

The motorway had closed on Thursday evening after glass covers on lamps at the Mid-Fryslân Aqueduct were found to be at risk of falling. One carriageway reopened earlier on Friday evening, before both directions were restored just before midnight.

A contractor removed the lighting units, cable trays and electrical equipment. Rijkswaterstaat said the units had suffered material fatigue and reached the end of their technical life sooner than expected. The 84 units had worn more quickly because of heavy traffic, the suction effect of lorries and splashing water, including salty water, the road authority said.

The closure followed a safety-related shutdown of the A32 near Grou.