Western Scheldt Tunnel in Terneuzen partly toll-free

From January 1st, the Western Scheldt Tunnel will be partially toll-free. Motorists and motorcyclists will no longer have to pay to pass through the 6.6-kilometer-long tunnel under the Western Scheldt between Terneuzen in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Zuid-Beveland.

However, vehicles higher than three meters will continue to pay tolls. A standard ticket for small buses and vans costs €18,20; frequent users pay €9,10. Trucks (12-m-long, >3-m-high) pay €25; frequent users €12,50. An average of more than 15,000 vehicles use the tunnel every day. Cyclists and pedestrians are not allowed.

Longest traffic tunnel

The design and construction of the Western Scheldt Tunnel took more than seven years. The tunnel, owned by the province of Zeeland, was opened in 2003 and is the longest traffic tunnel in the Netherlands.

Initially, the toll was planned to disappear in 2033, but a majority of the House of Representatives in the Netherlands already wants to arrange this for cars and motorcycles in 2025.

According to the Dutch authorities, a toll-free tunnel would significantly improve the quality of life and economy of Zeeland.