Maas Tunnel

After 75 years, the Maastunnel was in need of a thorough renovation in 2017. The renovation of the bicycle and pedestrian tunnel began in November 2019. The bicycle tunnel was closed for 7 months, the pedestrian tunnel for 11 months.
The Maastunnel is the oldest car tunnel in the Netherlands and the first sunken tunnel. Construction was completed in 1942. A festive opening could not take place back then – just like now due to covid-19. The opening of the renovated car tunnel was celebrated in
2019 with its own Maastunnel Festival. Loes Luca led the way singing.

Long, wooden escalators take you down. And then you stand at the entrance of a white-tiled tunnel, exclusively for pedestrians. What a luxury, considering that only 150 walkers use it per day. It is a National Heritage Site and has been restored as much as possible to its original state. That’s why there are those white tiles. It looks spick-and-span, but is this not an invitation for the graffiti brigade? There are cameras to prevent that, but when you compare this approach with the amazing tile tableau in the Cuyper tunnel in Amsterdam, then this is a missed opportunity.

TeVoet Vereniging