The new Groningen ring road. You might only think about it when you're stuck in traffic at the Julianaplein. Or when you got to work or to your family so quickly that you could hardly believe it. Either way, the ring road has a significant impact on your daily life. Especially now that so much has changed.
In this blog, we look at how the Groningen ring road improves the accessibility of neighbourhoods in the city. Not with boring bureaucratic talk, but simply: what you notice from it.
What exactly is the Groningen ring road?
The ring road is a kind of circle around the city. You can use it to go from east to west, from north to south – without having to drive through the busy city centre. Handy if you need to get from Beijum to Corpus den Hoorn, for example, or from Paddepoel to Euroborg.
Previously, it was a nightmare, especially on the south side. Traffic lights, congestion, delays. And if you were unlucky, roadworks too. But that has now changed.
What's in it for you?
You may have already noticed: the Julianaplein looks completely different. No more traffic lights, no more hold-ups. Thanks to the
Aanpak Ring Zuid project, this junction has been completely renovated. That means:
- Faster from A to B, even during rush hour
- Less noise and air pollution in surrounding neighbourhoods
- New exits that are faster and safer
A large part of the Groningen ring road has been built in a cutting. That means cars no longer drive at eye level, but underneath you. And on top comes the Zuiderplantsoen. A large park for residents of the Oosterpoortbuurt, De Wijert and Helpman.
How the ring road affects your neighbourhood
The improvements to the ring road are not only good for commuters or trucks. They have a direct impact on how you move around the city. A few examples:
Helpman & Coendersborg
Used to be quite difficult to reach by car, now easy via the new exit at the Brailleweg.
Oosterpoortbuurt
Less traffic, more greenery, and soon a park on top of the ring road. As if you live next to the Noorderplantsoen, but then in the south.
Vinkhuizen & Reitdiep
The west side of the ring road will also get an upgrade soon. Plans are ready to tackle bottlenecks such as the Reitdiepplein. That means soon: faster and safer to get in and out of your neighbourhood.
The ring road also improves public transport and cycling
The ring road is not only beneficial for motorists. Even if you prefer to cycle or take the bus, your journey will become more pleasant.
- Cycle routes such as the Helperzoom and the Parkweg will become safer and better connected to the city
- Bus lines experience less delay thanks to better traffic flow at the Julianaplein
- Through-cycle routes towards Haren, Hoogkerk and Bedum are being improved
What's still on the agenda?
The municipality of Groningen is far from finished. This is on the programme:
- The western ring road will be partially sunken and redesigned
- Additional cycle tunnels and pedestrian bridges will be built
- The connection to the A7 will be improved
Internal link tip
Want to know what this does for liveability in your neighbourhood? Then also read our
article about the Stadspark in Groningen, where residents experience more peace and nature thanks to less traffic.
Conclusion: the ring road is an asset for everyone
Whether you cross the city daily, occasionally visit friends, or just want to get out of the city faster: the Groningen ring road helps you. With fewer traffic jams, more logical on- and off-ramps, and soon even parks on top of the road. It's one of those infrastructure projects you normally only think about when something goes wrong – but now, precisely when it runs smoothly.
So the next time you drive through the Julianaplein without delay… know that it didn't happen by itself. But it was done for you.
