Inzicht Amstelveen

VOLUME 01 - NOVEMBER 2017

INDEVELOPMENT The City Centre is more than a shopping centre ‘THE KEY IS GOOD P R E PA R AT I O N ’ In the words of Michiel Roohé on the Amstelveenlijn WILL YOU HELP THINK WITH US? Vo t e f o r t h e d e s i g n of the bicycle bridge over the A9 now!

Jan Metselaar, market vendor, on the developments in the city centre

E N G L I S H V E R S I O N AVA I L A B L E O N W W W . A M S T E L V E E N I N Z I C H T. N L

’The market of Amstelveen is sitting on a goldmine’

www.AmstelveenInZicht.nl

29 NOVEMBER T/M 7 JANUARI WINTER VILLAGE

THE AMSTELVEEN OF THE FUTURE

Three large construction projects will in the coming years turn Amstelveen upside down: the widening and deepening of the A9 motorway, the renovation of the Amstelveenlijn (express tram 51) and the reorganisation of the City Centre. With so many changes on the way, you might wish to take a peek into the future. What will Amstelveen look like in ten years? Amstelveen InZicht Experience Centre offers you this opportunity. Films, interactive applications and a spectacular aerial photo among other things bring the future of Amstelveen to life.

OPENING HOURS AMSTELVEEN INZICHT Wednesday: 12.00 - 17.00

(experts Amstelveenlijn and City Centre present) Thursday: 12.00 - 19.00

(experts A9 present till 17.00) Friday: 12.00 - 17.00 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month: 12.00 - 17.00 Amstelveen InZicht Stadsplein 103 1181 ZM Amstelveen

T 020 - 540 48 98 E inzicht@amstelveen.nl W amstelveeninzicht.nl

As office manager and fixed contact at Amstelveen InZicht, I’ll be happy to welcome you. Any questions? I’d be happy to answer them. And my colleagues would also be pleased to talk to you. There are fixed days on which the experts on the various projects are present (see box).

They can help you with specific questions about the project. From Amstelveen InZicht, we by the way also organise excursions and other activities regularly. We’ve had a number of bicycle trips along the A9 this year, during which the A9 project manager talked about the planned changes. We also went on an excursion to a model of the new tram which will serve Amstelveen. In this way, the projects really come alive. Keep an eye on our website or come round and have a look at the future!

Florine Langen Office manager Experience Centre Amstelveen InZicht

Amstelveen InZicht is an initiative by Amstelveen municipality, Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management, Metro and Tram (Amsterdam municipality) and Amsterdam transport zone.

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 3

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CONTENTS

10

Facebook.com/AmstelveenInZicht

14

18

03

P R E FA C E In Florine Langen’s words

06

INZICHT What is about to happen?

08

COVERSTORY Interview with market vendor Jan Metselaar

10

I N D E V E L O P M E N T – City Centre Amstelveen Interview with advisor Phil van der Stam

12

I N D E V E L O P M E N T – Amstelveenlijn VITAL partnership responsible for renovation of Amstelveenlijn

14

I N D E V E L O P M E N T – Widening A9 Traffic advisors Bas & Johan on this monster project

16

I N C O N V E R S AT I O N In the words of Amstelveen residents

18

I N C O N TA C T Ask a question!

Twitter.com/AveenInZicht Colophon Amstelveen InZicht magazine is a publication by ASEGA Media & Communication and appears twice a year commissioned by Amstelveen InZicht.

Amstelveen InZicht is an initiative by Amstelveen municipality, Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management, Metro and Tram (Amsterdam municipality) and Amsterdam transport zone.

For more information: www.amstelveeninzicht.nl

ASEGA Media & Communication (Vinoly Building, 1st floor) Gustav Mahlerplein 2 1082 MA Amsterdam 020-7997414 www.asega.nl

Advertise in Amstelveen InZicht?

Call or email La Toya Ramsahai l.ramsahai@asega.nl

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 5

Amstelveen renovation: this is what’s going to happen

INZICHT

A LO T W I L L B E HA PP EN IN G IN A N D A ROU N D AMSTE LV E E N O V E R T HE C O MI N G YE A R S . T H E A 9 W IL L B E W ID EN E D TO R E D UC E TH E NUMBE R O F TR A FFI C J A M S , L IN E 51 W IL L B E CO N V E RTE D TO A T RAM L I N E A ND THE C IT Y C EN T RE W IL L B E A D D R E SSE D TO MAKE IT E VE N M O R E ATTR A C T IVE F OR RES ID EN T S , C O MPAN IE S AN D VISITOR S. W E ’ L L L I ST T H E M OS T IM P ORTA N T D E V E LO P ME N TS AND M I L E STO N E S.

21 June 2017

Beginning of 2018 Reorganisation of Stadsplein terraces 2018 Delivery of first phase City Garden Van Heuven Goedhartlaan (apartments and hotel)

2017 - 2018 Preparatory activities such as removing greenery and moving cables and ducts

2017 Verdict Council of State Planning Procedure 2017

4th quarter 2018 Beginning of realisation of setup site

January - June 2018 Traffic control measures Oranjebaan Summer 2018 Traffic control measures Keizer Karelweg March 2018 - beginning of 2020 Widening of viaduct Ouderkerkerlaan

6 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

The City Centre is due for a redesign and improvement. A new cinema on the Stadsplein, a fresh square and expansion of terraces are a few of the possibilities offered by the Spacial Development Vision City Centre (determined in June by the municipal council).

The proposal sets frameworks within which owners in the City Centre such as Unibail-Rodamco and a.s.r. can make plans. The goal is a City Centre that works as an inner city, where functions like living, shopping, eating and drinking, culture and work strengthen each other. Because the City Centre is a place for all the residents of Amstelveen.

The Spacial Development Vision City Centre was discussed and determined in the municipal council 2019 – 2022 Reorganisation Rembrandtweg Reorganisation Stadsplein

March 2019 Express tram 51 definitively stops running, temporary public transport with buses begins

2nd to 4th quarter 2020 Reserved for construction delays, testing phase and beginning of renovated Amstelveenlijn

14 July - 26 August 2019 Summer suspension

31 December 2020 Final delivery date for main contractor VITAL

End of 2019 Beginning of construction work on A9: the first breaking of ground!

Mid 2020 - 2022 The traffic is moved to the current northern lane for the construction of the wider southern lane

INZICHT

Express tram 51 is being converted to a safe, fast and reliable tram connection between Westwijk and Amsterdam Zuid station.

There will be three multi-level crossings, a setup site and new trams with low entry and exit. Four stops will be cancelled and two will be merged to one stop at a new location.

The Amsterdam Transport Zone is the client. Metro and Tram of the Amsterdam municipality is supervising the execution. The project will be carried out between 2017 and 2021.

The Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management will be widening the busy highways between Schiphol, Amsterdam and Almere in the coming years.

Between Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht, the highway will be expanded from three to four lanes in both directions. At Amstelveen, the highway will be deepened over a distance of 1,3 kilometres. For this there will be canopies at Oude Dorp, the City Centre and the Bovenlandpad.

The livability on the route will be improved compared to the current situation thanks to the installation of new sound barriers. Work is also taking place on implementing the change in as green a way as possible.

CHOOSE A BICYCLE BRIDGE!

2022 - 2024 Reorganisation Meander + A9 connection

W H AT ’ S C O M I N G ?

There will be a bridge for pedestrians, mopeds and bicycles over the A9 at the Keizer Karelweg.

WHY A VOTE? This bicycle bridge will be a striking landmark in Amstelveen. Your opinion as a resident counts! As such, you can vote on the submissions of various architectural firms.

1st quarter 2021 Conclusion of project

Mid 2022 - 2024 The traffic is moved to the southern lane for the construction of the wider northern lane

2024 - 2026 The BadhoevedorpHolendrecht project is delivered.

The first cars will enter the widened A9

HOW DOES IT WORK? • The Amstelveens Nieuwblad of 1 November lists comprehensive information about the voting round and the designs.

• You can vote during the first two weeks of Novermber • You can vote online at www.fietsbrugamstelveen.nl, by mail with the coupon in the Amstelveens Nieuws blad or in person at the Amstelveen InZicht Experience Centre. Here you can view the designs in a large format.

M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N AT W W W. F I E T S B R U G A M S T E LV E E N . N L AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 7

‘THE AMSTELVEEN MARKET IS SITTING ON A GOLDMINE’ THE AMSTELVEEN CITY CENTRE IS BEING REORGANISED. THIS HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR MANY PARTIES, INCLUDING THE MARKET. IT WILL MOVE UP A BIT TO THE REMBRANDTWEG. FROM THERE, THE STALLS WILL NOW REACH UP TO THE ROUNDABOUT ON THE GROEN VAN PRINSTERERLAAN. A DRASTIC CHANGE FOR ALL OF AMSTELVEEN. AND FOR THE MARKET ITSELF? A CONVERSATION WITH MARKET VENDOR JAN METSELAAR.

‘These are the best days,’ says Jan as he looks around the square with satisfaction. ‘Just over twenty degrees, and not a cloud in the sky. A visit to the market is a pleasure on these days.

Certainly here in Amstelveen, because it has one of the best markets in the country.’

As a son of a Beverwijk shopkeeper, he found himself in the profession by chance at the age of 21. His first business? Dusters. ‘An acquaintance piqued my interest for them during a holiday: “Jan, they sell like hotcakes!”

Once I got home I did have to ask my mother what a duster was. A kind of bathrobe. I received the goods on consignment and only paid for what I actually sold. Ideal as a starting entrepreneur.’

More than forty years later, this budding busi-

8 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

ness has grown into a serious company. Together with his son Martin, Jan visits four markets a week. Tuesdays in Haarlem, Wednesdays in Beverwijk, Thursdays in Zeist and Fridays in Amstelveen.

W H AT M A K E S T H E A M S T E L V E E N M A R K E T S O U N I Q U E ?

‘The range here is very complete and diverse. Yes, there are several stalls selling cheese beside each other, but they complement each other well. And this is also how it works in the other rows. Customers know where to go for their weekly shopping and they have the luck of finding a few pearls that you don’t see almost anywhere else. The Japanese fish stall for example, or the stall with delicious patisserie.

JUST THINKING ABOUT THEIR LEMON MERENGUE MAKES MY M O U T H WAT E R . ’ A N D T H E N T H E P L A N S A R R I V E D F O R T H E N E W CITY CENTRE...

‘That was a bit of a shock. The market world is friendly, but also a bit conservative. This is among other things related to the popularity of the Am-

COVERSTORY

Jan Metselaar from Beverwijk has been at the market with a lingerie and swimwear stall since 1976. In 2007, his 27-year old son Martin also joined the company. They visit the Amstelveen market every Friday. Their bathing suits are especially popular.

‘They come with a van from Zoetermeer for those.’

‘ FO O D T RU C K S A L L O W O N E T O A LS O R EAC H TH E YO U N GER G EN E RATI O N’ stelveen market. Entrepreneurs here have to wait years for a fixed location.

The plans mean that all the options are once again on the table: who will end up where? Will there be enough space for everyone? These are the concerns among entrepreneurs. Luckily, the communication with the municipality is very transparent. The changes are coming, that’s for sure. But which shape these will take exactly isn’t certain. This will take place in consultation.’

W H AT A R E T H E A D VA N TA G E S O F T H E N E W L AY O U T ?

’The Stadsplein is perfect for the Friday market - perfectly straight and smooth - but on the other days, the square feels empty and quiet. In the new layout, the market will be moved and there will be more space for events on the front side. This ensures that the Stadsplein isn’t only fun and lively on Fridays, but attracts people throughout the week. The market also no longer has to be moved to the Handelsplein once a year. That cost the market vendors a lot of revenue last year over Christmas. The weekly market can in the new situation exist beside events such as the Christmas market. I think they’ll strengthen each other.’

SOUNDS GOOD!

’Shopkeepers, cafes and restaurants, residents, events, market and municipality, we all benefit from an attractive Amstelveen City Centre. It’s up to all of us to realise that.

How? By taking a good look at the customer.

In the case of the market, for example, the older generation knows where to find us. But what about the younger generation? Can we expand the opening hours of the market? Or maybe add food trucks to the market once a month? These are kinds of topics we’re discussing with the municipality. The changes have jolted everyone into action, that’s for sure. In addition to insecurity, the reorganisation mainly involves opportunities in my opinion. And we need to seize these opportunities together.’

H O W D O Y O U M A I N TA I N T H E S A M E L E V E L O F Q U A L I T Y ?

‘We have to keep investing in this together. The Amstelveen market is solid as a rock Participants have been working extremely hard, with special thanks to market warden Albert Prins, to get the market to its current level.

It would be a hugeloss if this level decreases in the new situation. During one of the meetings, I urged the municipality: Amstelveen is sitting on a goldmine with the market, if we do nothing it will become silver, and if we work together it could become platinum.’

I WAS A BIT STARTLE D WHE N I F IRST SAW THE N E W PLAN S F OR THE STADSPLE IN .

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 9

T h e n e w, b e a t i n g

HEART OF A M S T E LV E E N AMSTELVEEN IS GETTING A NEW CITY CENTRE. A PLACE WHERE LIVING, WORKING AND MEETING GO HAND IN HAND. PHIL VAN DER STAM IS ADVISING THE MUNICIPALITY ON THE DESIGN OF THE NEW CENTRE. ‘IT’S IMPORTANT FOR RESIDENTS OF AMSTELVEEN TO IDENTIFY WITH THE NEW CITY CENTRE.’

With an international career, including professions in technical drawing, construction, building site management and real estate, Phil has more than proven himself in the world of construction. Nevertheless, he decided to sell his shares in his company in 2014 and to chase his passion. He is going on a world trip and will visit some 26 cities. His goal? To find an answer to the question which has increasingly been keeping him occupied during his career: what is the secret of the ‘perfect city centre’?

W H Y I S T H I S Q U E S T I O N S O I M P O RTA N T T O Y O U ?

‘Two in three Dutch people will soon be living in an urban environment. More and more people are showing up who all need a house, a job and fun things to do. In such a changing environment, quality of life is a focus point. Because how do you make sure that everyone remains satisfied in an increasingly busy city?

In other words: how to keep the city in balance?’

DID YOU FIND AN ANSWER TO YOUR Q U E S T I O N D U R I N G Y O U R T R AV E L S ?

‘I learned a lot from experience in practice and from talks with universities, companies and governments worldwide. Still, there isn’t one unambiguous answer. It’s about the balance between 10 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

living, working and recreation, a nice mix of the different destinations a city centre has to have. Additionally, identity and connection are very important.’

W H AT D O Y O U M E A N ?

‘A city has to stay close to its roots. Tokyo is a good example.

It’s one of the world’s most densely populated cities, but the residents still feel connected to it. This is because you can still find the authentic Japan there. The villages of the past are the neighbourhoods of the present. Understanding where you are is very important when it comes to connection.’

H O W D O Y O U T R A N S L AT E T H I S T O A M STELVEEN? ‘Here too, we will try and translate what is characteristic of Amstelveen to the City Centre. Historically, there has been a high quality of life here. You could say that Amstelveen is quality of life. The location is perfect, there is space, there is greenery.

These are all things that we’re proud of here in Amstelveen.

These properties also have to be recognisable in the new centre.

So the residents of Amstelveen can identify with the centre and enjoy visiting it.’

INDEVELOPMENT

PHIL VAN DER STAM is an independent advisor of the municipality and member of the City Centre advisory group connected to the reorganisation of the Amstelveen city centre. After selling his shares in his company (Van Gool-Elburg Real Estate Specialists in Amsterdam), he took a world trip of six months visiting 26 cities. Using this knowledge and his extensive experience in real estate among other things, he advises the municipalities on their planning questions. Phil lives in Amstelveen.

I S T H AT N O T T H E C A S E AT T H E M O M E N T ?

‘There are points for improvement. The Stadsplein feels deserted on a regular weekday. It could all be a bit more open and personal. The original 1960 Square was successful because of the typical Amstelveen entrepreneurs who stood for their shop. With their roots in the city, they knew their customers well. It would be good for Amstelveen if that comes back a bit. Also in big chains such as the Bijenkorf and Hudson’s Bay. It’s nice to see a familiar face when you’re out shopping.’

AMSTELVEEN HAS A LARGE I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y. W H E R E DO YOU PLACE IT IN THIS STORY? ‘That’s also Amstelveen. So if we want to do justice to the character of Amstelveen, international (specialty) shops are also part of it. I think the Rembrandtweg is very suitable for this. With a mix of local and international shops, cafes and restaurants, you create a formula which is unique to this place.’

W H AT W I L L B E T H E B I G G E S T C H A L L E N G E ?

‘To turn a centre which was conceived and built in a planned way into something that feels more ‘organic’. The centres of old cities are interesting because they’re surprising. A collection of streets, alleys and squares where the residents have found their own way. The art is in creating this natural cohesion in Amstelveen as well, making the centre more interesting and making you want to stay longer.’

W H AT D O E S T H AT M E A N F O R T H E S H O P P I N G C E N T R E ?

‘In Amstelveen, the centre is sometimes referred to as the ‘shopping centre’. But it’s much more than that. The City Centre has inhabitants, it has a broad range of cultural facilities, a varied office range and soon, a hotel.

In short: it’s about the sum of its parts. In a shopping centre, you can distinguish between a front and a back side. We want to get rid of this. You want to use the urban area in an optimal way, so that the whole area is interesting for everyone living there. It’s about diversity and cohesion. Each plan for the City Centre is therefore held up to a standard: does it contribute to a better atmosphere and circulation in the city?’

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE? ‘We’ve presented a plan - the Spacial Vision Amstelveen City Centre in consultation with the municipality, residents, entrepreneurs en various parties (including Unibail-Rodamco and a.s.r., red). But these are only the frameworks. It’s now up to residents, entrepreneurs and the municipality to further develop this. Ideas are welcome. And if it fits within the parameters, the idea could end up in the definitive plans. In this way, the municipality is making the new City Centre into a project which belongs to all of Amstelveen. And this is the way it should be; we want to be able to enjoy it together for a long time.

W H AT W I L L B E T H E B I G G E S T P O S I T I V E CHANGE? The goal is to have residents and visitors experience the City Centre as the ‘living room’ of the city. People now visit with a clear goal: buy groceries at the market, shop, visit the library. Then they go straight back. By creating a better quality of public space and a City Centre where there is more space for experience, greenery, shopping, connecting and meeting, we hope to lengthen these visits.’

HOW EXACTLY? ‘Through the opportunities for the Rembrandtweg between the Groen van Prinstererlaan and the Stadsplein, the reorganisation of the Stadsplein, the improved hospitality spaces and the new position of the market. The Stadsplein will get more space for cafes and restaurants, bigger terraces and recognisable meeting points. These kinds of stopovers are important, also with a view towards the future. Because people are increasingly living in smaller houses and working flexibly, we’re looking more for a second living room for work and private meetings.’

T H E N E W C I T Y C E N T R E I N 4 C O R E VA L U E S : 1. VERSATILE - a lively City Centre with various functions and spaces.

Worth visiting in the daytime and in the evening, by young and old, national and international 2. AMSTELVEEN CHARACTER – the City Centre as the representative of Amstelveen: attractive, high-quality, local and green 3. CONNECTED – good accessibility, sufficient parking, more than enough space for meeting 4. FUTURE-PROOF – sustainable architecture which is suitable for multiple functions, is flexible and adaptable AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 11

I N C O N TA C T

VITAL partnership responsible for the renovation of the Amstelveenlijn

THE KEY IS GOOD

P R E PA R AT I O N THE ASSIGNMENT FOR RENOVATING THE AMSTELVEENLIJN WAS

GRANTED TO VITAL, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE VOLKERWESSELS COMPANIES VAN HATTUM AND BLANKEVOORT, VOLKERRAIL AND KWS. A HUGE JOB WITH A BIG IMPACT ON THE CITY. INZICHT ON A CALL WITH PROJECT MANAGER MICHIEL ROOHÉ: HOW DOES VITAL KEEP AMSTELVEEN ACCESSIBLE, LIVEABLE AND SAFE DURING THE RENOVATION ACTIVITIES?

ACCESSIBLE

Michiel: ’The large-scale activities will start in Spring 2019, but preparatory work is already taking place in and around Amstelveen. Roads and intersections are being temporarily closed to move ducts and cables. This of course has consequences for accessibility in the city. But because we’re already taking care of these kinds of things, we’ll be able to finish the large jobs more quickly later. Our goal is to have as few people as possible experience inconvenience for as short a time as possible during construction. During the works, the stops of line 5 - except during the summer of 2019 and four weekends spread out over two years - will remain accessible. The East-West connection at the Sportlaan-Beneluxbaan intersection will also remain guaranteed.’

12 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

LIVEABLE

Michiel: ‘Our proposal to not only deepen the Kronenburg and Zonnestein intersections but the Sportlaan as well will cause less disruption for residents there.

During the construction period, both sides of the Beneluxbaan will now keep two temporary lanes. This prevents having all the traffic pass directly along the west side of the Beneluxbaan, where an apartment complex is located. We also try to take the surroundings into account as much as possible. We’re using screws and anchors instead of piles for the foundation of the sunken intersections. This will lead to less noise pollution. We limit dust nuisance through regular sprinkling during dry periods. And because many of the parts for the new Amstelveenlijn have already been assembled in the factory (prefab), the construction process is not only faster, but also less prone to mistakes.’

SAFE

Michiel: ’The construction period will be reduced through an innovative construction plan. There will among other things be a special construction roundabout which will manage the regular traffic during the peak in the summer of 2019 at Kronenburg and Zonnestein and handle the construction traffic smoothly. Still, these intersections will get busy at the peak of construction work. Through simulations, we are now trying to judge the future traffic situation and determine a safe route for everyone. We are evaluating the effects of these measures during the preparations with residents, clients and the municipality in so-called ‘Implementation Supervision Committees’ (BCUs), a kind of participatory council for the project.’

INDEVELOPMENT

Impression new stop at Kronenburg. In addition to this stop, the Sportlaan and Zonnestein will also become multi-level. This will ensure faster and safer through-flow.

DROP-IN EVENINGS AMSTELVEENLIJN On 8, 9 and 16 November, there will be drop-in evenings about the renovation of the Amstelveenlijn. You’re more than welcome to come hear about the state of affairs regarding the future tram connection between Amstelveen Westwijk and Amsterdam Zuid.

You can choose between: • Wednesday 8 November 18.30 - 21.00 Community Centre Alleman, Den Bloeyenden Wijngaerdt 1, Amstelveen.

• Thursday 9 November 18.30 - 21.00 Meeting Centre De Meent, Orion 3, Amstelveen.

• Thursday 16 November 18.30 - 21.00 Community Meeting Centre Buitenveldert, A.J. Ernststraat 112, Amsterdam.

Afterwards, one can view the exhibition at Amstelveen InZicht.

Project manager Michiel Roohé

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 13

THE FUTURE COMES TO LIFE

RADICALLY D I F F E R E N T: City entrance receives a complete makeover

Curious about how you’ll be walking, biking and driving in Amstelveen? Come to Amstelveen InZicht experience centre. Soon you’ll see a traffic simulation model of the new intersection here!

At the A9 exit, coming from Haarlem, there are two options for turning off: to the right in the direction of the Keizer Karelpark or with a loop in the direction of the City Centre. This is just one familiar situation that will be a thing of the past in a few years time. Because as a result of the deepening and widening of the A9, the Keizer Karelweg-A9 traffic junction will be completely revamped. The access roads and exits to and from the highway will connect to the Keizer Karelweg and with the Meander on the Burgemeester Rijnderslaan. The traffic flows from four different directions will in the future pass each other at a new canopy. A bicycle and pedestrian bridge will complete the new Amstelveen intersection.

BE CAUSE O F THE W ID EN IN G OF T H E A 9 FROM THR E E TO F OU R L A N ES , T H E K EIZ E R KA R E LW E G A N D A S S OC IAT ED IN T ER SE CT I O N S W I L L HAV E T O P R OC ES S M ORE CARS AT THE SA M E T IM E. T O G U A RA N T EE THR O UG H- FL O W A N D S A F ET Y, T H E EN TRA NCE O F THE TOW N W IL L U N D ER G O A ME TAMO R P HO SI S IN T H E C OM IN G Y EA RS .

‘Y O U W O N’ T B E AB L E T O R EC OG N IS E IT. ’

MONSTER PROJECT Traffic planning in the Netherlands can’t be taken lightly.

Starting in 2007, plans were announced by the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management regarding the widening of the A9, part of the Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere (SAA) programme. The guiding principles of this monster job are reducing the number of traffic jams, improving the accessibility of the northern Randstad and increasing livability in the region. Johan Matton, traffic engineer at the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management, and Bas van Viegen, team leader of Traffic and Transport at Amstelveen municipality, are closely involved in the SAA (sub-project A9 Badhoevedorp-Holendrecht) and were each asked to consider the design of the new Amstelveen traffic junction from their own expertise.

NOT AN EASY JOB. WHAT COMES FIRST? Bas: ’Take a very good look at the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management plans. As a municipality we have to conform to these. But this doesn’t mean things are imposed ‘from the top’. Quite the opposite. The Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management is responsible for the design of the national road network in Amstelveen and charting the future traffic flows in the city. So the traffic engineers are in the lead for the design of a new traffic junction.’

Johan: ’Using a traffic model, the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management has to make an estimate of the future number of vehicles that will want to drive to and from Amstelveen on the A9. It’s up to Amstelveen to manage this correctly within the city limits, because that’s where the expertise is regarding local traffic.’

Bas: ‘It really is an interplay. If traffic isn’t circulating well in the city, things won’t run smoothly on the highway access roads and exits either. That’s why you have to keep consulting each other. So that’s what we do.

14 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

INDEVELOPMENT

NOTE! ROADWORKS In the context of widening the A9 and the adjustments of the local traffic network, the first preparatory roadworks have been scheduled: Laan van Langerhuize (November-December 2017): this road will receive 2x2 lanes between the Beneluxbaan and KPMG. There will be an extra (third) lane in the direction of the Burgemeester Boersweg.

Oranjebaan - Groen van Prinstererlaan (second and third quarter of 2018): the bus lanes between the Burgemeester Boersweg and the Beneluxbaan will be converted into extra lanes. This will give the entire Oranjebaan 2x2 lanes. The Keizer Karelweg - Groen van Prinstererlaan intersection will be converted into a regular roundabout.

Visit Amstelveen InZicht Experience Centre for an overview of all future roadworks or visit: amstelveeninzicht.nl.

HOW DO YOU DESIGN A TRAFFIC JUNCTION? Bas: ‘Designing a junction is an extraordinarily tricky puzzle. There will be two large intersections in close proximity to each other, where the traffic flows will influence each other.

Road users have to be able to understand the new situation well to be able to choose the right path in the safest way. That’s why we keep optimising, meanwhile taking the prognoses into account: how will traffic look in ten, twenty, thirty years? This kind of information is collected in mathematical models which we comprehensively study and test.’

Johan: ‘We always choose the most realistic traffic model. When we’re in doubt, we slightly overshoot the expectations, so we won’t be surprised by the traffic in ten years. Busy highways in the Randstad and popular destinations such as Schiphol have to remain passable and accessible in twenty years time. This is the responsibility of the the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management.’

YOU CAN’T PREVENT DISRUPTION FOR RESIDENTS Johan: ‘That’s true. We can’t prevent this during construction, but we can limit the disruption as much as possible. Because of the changes, the A9 will along some parts be closer to the houses, such as the Meanderflats. We limit the sound pollution related to this with the sunken construction, the canopies and the high noise barriers. We also use the quietest asphalt in existence: two-layer zoab. This extra-fine asphalt ‘absorbs’ such a large amount of traffic noise that we remain within the noise standards even with lower noise barriers. All residents will benefit from these noise control measures.’

Bas: ‘During the roadworks on the A9, access roads and exits to and from Utrecht on the Keizer Karelweg will have to close for a few years. We’ll redirect traffic via Amstelveen-Oost, at the Burgemeester Boersweg. To properly manage this traffic, the capacity of the local roads will be increased over the coming years. With this we hope to reduce the disruption and delay for the traffic during construction of the A9, but we of course can’t prevent this entirely.’

W H E R E D O E S T H E P R O J E C T S TA N D R I G H T N O W ?

Johan: ‘In the phase before the tender. The job of the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management is to very carefully list what is needed for the construction of the new roads and the junction. Contractors can use this to determine their price. An exciting stage, because these prices can vary significantly. Contractors who take things like sustainability and lower traffic disruption into account can earn ‘points’ with this (EMVI). As such, it could be the case that a more expensive tender wins, because the costs will be earned back in a few years or because the traffic disruption is limited during the work.’

Bas: ‘The first preparatory works have already started within Amstelveen (see frame). The first ground will be broken on the widening of the A9 at the end of 2019. We expect the new situation to be completely ‘finished’ by 2024-2025.

Johan Matton is connected to the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management as an advisor. Johan was among other things involved in the introduction of rush-hour lanes in the Netherlands. For the widening of the A9, he is responsible for limiting traffic disruption during the construction activities.

Bas van Viegen is team leader of Traffic and Transportation at Amstelveen municipality and has since 2010 been involved with the A9 project Badhoevedorp - Holendrecht.

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 15

I N C O N V E R S AT I O N HO W WILL THE D E VE LOP M E N TS IN A M STELV EEN AFFE CT YOU ?

AMSTELVEEN IS BEING RENOVATED: THE A9 WILL BE WIDENED, THE OLD EXPRESS TRAM 51 WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW TRAM LINE AND THE CITY CENTRE WILL FURTHERMORE GET A BOOST. BUT WHAT DO YOU, RESIDENTS OF AMSTELVEEN, THINK OF THIS? WE WENT OUT ON TO THE STREET.

ETIE MOLENAAR “ I t h i n k i t ’s a g o o d t h i n g t h a t t h e C i t y C e n t r e i s g e t t i n g a m a k e o v e r. W e h a v e a n i c e c e n t r e , t h e s h o p s c o m e a n d g o , b u t t h e a p p e a r a n c e c o u l d b e b e t t e r. I t c o u l d a l l b e m a d e a b i t m o r e u p - s c a l e . T h a t ’s w h y I ’ m g l a d H u d s o n ’s B a y i s c o m i n g t o A m s t e l v e e n , I’m really looking forward to that. I think it will be a good boost for the centre.”

’ I TH IN K IT’ S A GOOD BOOST F OR TH E C EN TR E ’ FAT H E R A N D S O N ” A s f a r a s I ’ m c o n c e r n e d , i t ’s a g o o d t h i n g that the City Centre is being reorganised. In the e v e n i n g s , I t h i n k i t ’s l e s s p l e a s a n t h e r e , a n d o f t e n even deserted. Also, Amstelveen is quite a big m u n i c i p a l i t y , s o I t h i n k i t ’s i m p o r t a n t t o m a k e i t pleasant for the residents. One could also do this by organising more activities. With regards t o t h e A 9 : I t h i n k i t ’s t r i c k y . I t j u s t s t i m u l a t e s p e o p l e t o u s e t h e c a r m o r e , s o t h a t ’s o f c o u r s e a lot worse for the environment.”

16 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

JOHAN, MARISKA AND BIKKEL “ We d o n ’t t h i n k m u c h i s g o i n g t o change for us, except that we’ll spend less time in traffic jams.

But that is of course a good thing. That the City Centre will furthermore be made more attractive is also an improvement.

It is a bit of a nuisance that line 51 will temporarily be out of service. Amsterdam is hard to r e a c h b y c a r. W e r e g u l a r l y g o b y bicycle, but we heard it won’t be allowed in the new tram.

T h a t ’s a s h a m e . ”

’ T H AT T H E A9 WI LL B E WI DENED I S I DEAL’

B A R E N D VA N K N I J F F ”As a business consultant, I’m on the road a lot to visit clients. Unfortunately I have to plan my day to avoid the traffic jams, which limits me. I’m glad something is now being done by widening the A9 and working on the access roads. Although it will be a bit of a nuisance in the short term, the end justifies the means!”

MARIJKE WETSELAAR AND LARA ” I t ’s a s h a m e t h a t t h e m e t r o i s b e i n g removed, but there will still be trams.

I t h i n k t h a t ’s h a n d y, b e c a u s e I o f t e n p a r k the car here and then take the tram to the Concertgebouw for example. That the A9 is being widened is also ideal. I don’t live in Amstelveen, but we’ve been coming here very regularly for forty y e a r s . I t ’s o u r s e c o n d h o m e . I t w i l l b e n i c e that we can reach it more quickly soon.”

AMSTELVEEN INZICHT 17

I N C O N TA C T

W H AT W I L L TH E NEW TRAM L O O K LI K E? A NEW, SAFE, FAST AND RELIABLE TRAM CONNECTION BETWEEN AMSTELVEEN AND AMSTERDAM ZUID, THAT’S WHAT THE AMSTELVEENLIJN IS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE TRAM WHICH WILL RIDE ON THE TRACK IS ALSO BRAND NEW: THE GVB’S 15G TRAM. LAST SUMMER, A FULL-SCALE MODEL OF THIS TRAM WAS DISPLAYED IN THE LEKSTRAAT TRAM DEPOT IN AMSTERDAM. TO HAVE A PEEK AT THE NEWCOMER, THE AMSTELVEENLIJN PROJECT ORGANISED TWO EXCURSIONS TO GO AND SEE IT. WE WENT ALONG.

13.45 - AMSTELVEEN INZICHT EXPERIENCE CENTRE ‘Has everyone found a good spot? Then let’s get started.’ Area manager Harold Topper addresses the attendees from the balcony of the Amstelveen InZicht Experience Centre. Lines to the various projects have been drawn on the huge map of the municipality: the widening of the A9, the plans for the City Centre and the renovation of the Amstelveenlijn.

14.00 - FILM: THE ORIGINS OF AMSTELVEEN From a peat worker’s hamlet in the thirteenth century to a blossoming municipality of nearly 90.000 inhabitants. The film can be viewed every day during opening hours at Amstelveen InZicht.

14.30 - ON THE BUS! The party departs to the GVB tram depot by coach (Lekstraat Amsterdam).

15.00 - ARRIVAL AT TRAM DEPOT The immense hall dating from 1929 is impressive. For the occasion, the GVB is not only displaying the new 15G tram, but also three pre-war trams which were restored to their original state.

15.15 - THE ‘MOCK-UP’ Project manager Paulien Viezee of the GVB explains the background of the mock-up.

‘Evaluating the design of a tram on paper is almost impossible. That’s why we had this model made, completely full-scale, but made of wood, rubber and plexiglass. This allows one to judge much better how the tram looks in real life and what needs to be improved.

And we need the traveller’s help with this.’

All attendees receive four coloured coins with which they can express their preference for things like the height of the rods, the upholstery of the seats and the ‘social seats’ (seats for the disabled).

15.30 - VOTE! By now, the excursion is behind us and the votes have been counted. The new 15G tram will have ‘social seats’ with red upholstery (71% of the votes), seats with textile upholstery (64%) and bars 1,85m high (66%).

Additionally, 91% of the voters think the information screens in the tram are clearly visible.

16.00 - BACK TO AMSTELVEEN Seen off by the enthusiastic GVB crew, the bus returns to Amstelveen. Now we have to wait for Spanish manufacturer CAF to deliver the ordered trams. The new trams are expected to start serving the renovated Amstelveenlijn by the end of 2020.

D O YO U ALSO HAVE A QU ESTION? M A IL IT T O IN F O@ A M S T ELVE E N IN ZIC H T. N L AN D Y O UR Q UE STIO N ABO UT THE D EV EL OP M EN T S IN A M S T ELV E E N MIG H T BE AN SWE R E D IN TH E N E XT E D ITIO N O F TH IS MAGAZIN E .

18 AMSTELVEEN INZICHT

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