Scaling Circular Economy in Bridge Infrastructure: Insights from Dutch Practice

Abstract

Across Europe’s construction sector, circular economy strategies—including reuse, refurbishment, and modular design—are emerging as key approaches to reducing resource consumption and environmental impacts. Despite promising pilot initiatives, scaling these circular practices in bridge infrastructure management remains challenging due to multiple interconnected barriers. This paper investigates these practical challenges and enabling conditions through semi-structured interviews with Dutch experts from governmental agencies, consultancies, and municipalities, all recognized for their pioneering roles in circular bridge implementation in the Netherlands. Using thematic analysis, we identify critical economic, regulatory, technical, cultural, and collaborative mechanisms shaping circular decision-making. The analysis highlights how these mechanisms are not isolated but reinforce one another, sustaining linear practices. By examining both the actions already taken in the Dutch context and the persistent limitations that remain, the findings provide insight into how circular strategies can be advanced through more systemic alignment. This includes leveraging current initiatives while addressing structural gaps to move from fragmented experimentation toward integrated sector-wide implementation.