Drivers using Europalaan-Zuid should allow extra travel time from Monday 7 September, when part of the road will be reduced to one lane in each direction for more than two months.

The restrictions apply between the Europaplein roundabout and Jutfasebrug and are expected to remain in place until mid-November. The road will stay open, but Utrecht says the reduced capacity is likely to delay car traffic.

Cyclists can continue to use the route during the work.

What is closing?

One traffic lane will be taken out of use in each direction along the affected section. The closure is needed while the municipality works on the central reservation near the Kanaleneiland-Zuid bus and tram stop.

The pedestrian bridge at the stop will also be removed overnight from 7 to 8 September. It is scheduled to return during the two nights between 9 and 11 November.

Cars will follow a diversion while the bridge is being removed and replaced. Pedestrians who normally use the bridge can cross Europalaan at Winthontlaan in the intervening period.

Preparation for a larger reconstruction

The autumn restrictions are preparatory work rather than the full reconstruction of Europalaan-Zuid.

That larger project is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and continue until August. Utrecht plans to extend the bus lane between Europaplein and the Kanaleneiland-Zuid stop, alter stops around P+R Westraven and create additional space for buses to turn and wait.

The municipality also plans to replace ageing asphalt and traffic lights. It says the changes should make bus services more reliable and improve transfers between bus and tram.

Europalaan-Zuid is an important public-transport route between Utrecht and Nieuwegein, IJsselstein and Vianen. The city expects demand to increase as thousands of homes are built in the Merwedekanaalzone.

For now, the practical change is for road users: from 7 September, Europalaan-Zuid remains passable, but one lane in each direction will be unavailable on the section between Europaplein and Jutfasebrug.