Closed A1 slip road sparks safety fears and traffic chaos in Twente
A closed slip road on the A1 motorway near Hengelo and Borne is causing major disruptions for drivers. The Twente Board has now called on the Dutch Infrastructure Minister to speed up repairs. Delays in fixing frost damage have led to traffic jams, safety risks, and even hold-ups for emergency services.
The issue is part of a wider problem across the Netherlands, with dozens of roads affected by frost damage in recent weeks. Rijkswaterstaat, the agency responsible for road maintenance, faces a billion-euro shortfall, forcing it to delay essential repairs.
The on-ramp at Hengelo and Borne was shut down after frost damage made it unsafe. Rijkswaterstaat initially warned that repairs could take months, leaving drivers with no clear solution. Meanwhile, the A2 slip road near Abcoude was reopened only after local authorities pushed for faster action.
Ank Bijleveld, chair of the Twente Board, wrote to the minister to highlight the dangers of the ongoing closure. She stressed that road safety must come first but called the delays unacceptable. The board's letter demanded immediate repairs to prevent further hazards. Rijkswaterstaat has struggled to keep up with damage at multiple locations. Temporary fixes, such as speed limits, truck restrictions, and lane closures, have been used where possible. However, with a billion-euro budget deficit, the agency must now decide which repairs to prioritise. Regional authorities suspect financial constraints are the main reason for the slow response. The A2 at Abcoude and the A1 at Hengelo are just two of many sites hit by frost damage since late March 2026. While some repairs have moved forward under pressure, others remain stalled. Rijkswaterstaat has not yet outlined a long-term plan to avoid similar delays in the future.
The Twente Board's intervention has put pressure on Rijkswaterstaat to act faster. Without extra funding, though, more closures and traffic problems are likely. Drivers in affected areas will continue facing delays until repairs are completed.
The agency's billion-euro shortfall means difficult choices lie ahead. Some roads will be fixed sooner, while others may stay closed for months.
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