Europaweg Live Cam

Pre-1960 Landscape and Early Routes

The area now occupied by the Europaweg lay for centuries within the low-lying peat and clay landscape east of historic Groningen. Before modern roads, waterways such as the Oude Winschoterdiep and the Damsterdiep were the primary corridors, serving barges bringing peat, agricultural products, and goods to the city. Paths and minor roads ran alongside these canals, linking small hamlets and farmsteads. The need for improved overland connections toward Hoogezand and beyond became apparent as traffic volumes grew in the mid-20th century, but the existing alignment along the east side of the Oude Winschoterdiep was narrow and insufficient to carry increasing motorized traffic.