EIB Grants €500m for Final A12/A15 Motorway Upgrade to Boost Dutch Transport

This strategic motorway extension completes a key national and European transport corridor, connecting the Port of Rotterdam — Europe’s largest maritime gateway — to the German border.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €500 million loan to support the construction and upgrade of the final section of the A12/A15 motorway in the eastern Netherlands. The funding will go to the GelreGroen consortium, which has been contracted to design, build, finance and maintain the project for the next 20 years.

This strategic motorway extension completes a key national and European transport corridor, connecting the Port of Rotterdam — Europe’s largest maritime gateway — to the German border. The route lies on the core TEN-T road network and the highly important Rhine-Alpine Corridor, which enables seamless freight and passenger movement across Europe’s industrial heartland.

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Why the Project Matters for the Netherlands and Europe

EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot highlighted the investment gap facing Dutch businesses:

“In our recent Investment Survey, a quarter of Dutch businesses mentioned incomplete transport infrastructure as a barrier to investment. Together with our lending towards sustainable mobility, this kind of infrastructure is crucial for Dutch and European competitiveness.”

The upgraded corridor is expected to:

• Improve logistics efficiency between Rotterdam and central Europe

• Reduce congestion on existing routes

• Enhance road safety and traffic flow

• Support the Netherlands’ long-term mobility strategy

• Strengthen the EU single market by improving cross-border connectivity

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Project Components: New Roads, Widening Works and Redesigned Junctions

The project entails a combination of new construction and major upgrades:

• 12 km Extension of the A15 (Ressen to A12)

• New stretch of motorway closing the long-awaited gap

• Includes a sunken section to mitigate visual and environmental impact

• Multiple bridges built over existing roads, rail lines and waterways

• Widening of Existing Motorways

• A15 widening between Valburg and Ressen

• A12 widening across an 11 km stretch between Duiven and Oud-Dijk

• Improves capacity to handle rising traffic volumes

• Redesigned Junctions

Key interchanges on both motorway sections will be reconstructed and modernised to enhance safety and traffic flow.

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Climate Adaptation and Environmental Safeguards Integrated into Construction

The project includes forward-looking sustainability measures designed to protect the motorway from long-term climate risks:

• Reinforced sunken section to withstand rising groundwater levels

• Expanded water reserve areas to absorb increased rainfall intensity

• Use of climate-resilient materials and engineering solutions

• Wildlife protection zones and noise-reduction interventions along the route

A major feature is the construction of a 2.5 km bridge over a canal and floodplain. The bridge includes:

• A separate cycling path, supporting sustainable mobility

• Design elements that preserve flood resilience and local ecosystems

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A Modern Corridor to Strengthen the Dutch and European Economy

Once completed, the upgraded A12/A15 link will serve as a vital transport spine facilitating:

• Faster freight movement from Rotterdam to Germany

• Reduced logistics costs for businesses

• Enhanced regional development opportunities

• Greater resilience against climate and infrastructure challenges

By supporting the Netherlands in closing one of its last major motorway gaps, the EIB is helping secure Europe’s long-term competitiveness and cross-border mobility.