Benelux tunnel, a part of TEN-T road comprehensive network near Rotterdam, was originally meant for motorised traffic only. But during the reconstruction in 2002 the oversight was corrected, and a bicycle tunnel was added.

Benelux tunnel is a part of A4 motorway and western bypass of Rotterdam. It connects the city of Vlaardingen with industrial areas on the southern bank of the Nieuwe Maas river. Originally it opened in 1967 as tunnel only for motorised traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists had to use ferry to travel between Vlaardingen and Pernis. But in 2002 the oversight was corrected, and bicycle and pedestrian tunnel, as well as metro line, were added as a part of reconstruction works.

While in Kennedytunnel in Antwerp the cycling path was located between carriageways for cars, in Beneluxtunnel it is on the eastern side, next to the metro line.

Access to the tunnel is provided by escalators and elevators. To increase the perception of social safety, the entrances were designed to let in as much daylight as possible. The tunnel itself is decorated with the words of the poem “For Ari” by Jules Deelder.

Interestingly, there is also a separate tunnel for scooters. Tunnel C was designed as reversible (tidal flow) lane for cars, to accommodate peak hour traffic, but is currently dedicated for powered two-wheelers. Some road cyclists also choose to take tunnel C instead of escalators to “proper” bicycle tunnel. The same tunnel serves also as emergency route for pedelecs and cargo bikes in case of problems with lifts.

NEXT STOP: The article is a part of a mini-series on underwater cycling tunnels. In the next one we will visit the Rotterdam Maastunnel.