The planned widening of the A2 in Limburg is delayed by at least two years due to the need for bat protection measures. Completion, originally scheduled for 2027, is being pushed back as a result. Additional ecological research shows that a protected bat species makes intensive use of the area. This makes additional measures unavoidable.

To comply with wildlife regulations, safe habitats for bats must be established along the route. Since this work can only take place during their hibernation, Rijkswaterstaat needs two winters to carry everything out.

The A2 is the only highway link between South and Central Limburg and the rest of the Netherlands and abroad. The strategic location of the region, with a lot of business and logistics traffic towards European markets, underlines the importance of good accessibility.

Still, the provincial government stresses that nature conservation rules weigh heavily and cannot be ignored. Violation of the environmental permit can lead to project shutdown and possible criminal prosecution.

The delay also impacts the underlying road network. These routes will have to serve as detours for longer, impacting management, maintenance and traffic flow. The provincial government and the Department of Public Works are jointly seeking solutions to deal with the impact of the delay as best they can.