Inzicht Amstelveen by Asega Media & Communication

ISSUE 02 - APRIL 2018

INDEVELOPMENT One Amstelveen via the North and South connection ‘INVOLVEMENT A N D T R A N S PA R E N C Y COME FIRST’ Kees Abrahamse from Rijkswaterstaat AMSTELVEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION Overview on page 6 and 7!

Fieke Uitentuis, environment manager at VITAL

'Safety on and around the building site in Amstelveen is of the utmost importance’ www.AmstelveenInZicht.nl

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ROB SCHIPPERS AT THE MEANDER DURING CONSTRUCTION.

GO AHEAD AND START FIRING QUESTIONS! Huge building projects are starting to become more and more visible in Amstelveen. Together with my colleagues from the council, the Department of Waterways and Public Works, and the Amstelveenlijn project team, we try to inform residents and businesses about all (preparatory) construction activities. As a consultant for environmental communication, you can mostly find me outside, for example on the construction site when the work starts. I also visit residents and entrepreneurs who have questions, or complaints about what will happen. Why I think this is important? I am convinced that it makes a lot of difference if you provide people with timely and clear information. Compare it with your neighbours renovation. If you are completely in the dark about it and they start drilling in the early hours of the morning, this can lead to irritations. But if you let the neighbours know in a timely manner what's going to happen, that makes up for a lot. You cannot always remove the inconvenience, but it does matter if you know where you stand.

We also notice this at the Belevingscentrum Amstelveen InZicht. Everyone is more than welcome to walk in and ask questions. Of course we notify residents accordingly with letters, articles in the newspaper, on the website and with this magazine, but many people still have unanswered questions. We try to answer them at InZicht. Sometimes you run into problems that are based on a misunderstanding. I am thinking about the situation regarding the shifting of the water pipes under the A9 at the Oude Dorp. Residents of the Parklaan thought they could not enter or leave their street that weekend, but that was certainly not the case. Because we had picked up signals from the residents in time, we were able to respond quickly and we helped nip a difficult situation in the bud. What I am trying to say is: if you as a resident or as an entrepreneur have questions, make them known. We can not solve everything, but we can explain it and see what the possibilities are. That's why you should come to the Experience Centre or contact us directly. Rob Schippers

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

Environmental communication advisor Amstelveen Council r.schippers@amstelveen.nl 020-540 49 11

Amstelveen InZicht is a council initiative Amstelveen, Department of Waterways and Public Works, Metro and Tram (Amsterdam council) and the Amsterdam Transport Region. INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 3

CONTENT

FOREWORD Rob Schippers speaks

INSIGHT What is about to happen?

COVERSTORY - Amstelveen line Interview with Fieke Uitentuis, Harold Topper & Cor Molleman about the Amstelveen line.

I N D E V E L O P M E N T - A9 under development 'Coming home will soon feel very different'

I N D E V E L O P M E N T - Stadshart Amstelveen Interview with Hans Gort, a born entrepreneur

I N D E V E L O P M E N T - A9 under development Kees Abrahamse about vantage points and clever traffic lights

I N C O N V E R S AT I O N Amstelveners have their say

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

Facebook.com/AmstelveenInZicht

Twitter.com/AveenInZicht Colophon Magazine Amstelveen InZicht is an ASEGA Media & Communication publication, appears every six months and is commissioned by Amstelveen InZicht. Amstelveen Inzicht is a council initiative of Amstelveen, Department of Waterways and Public Works, Metro and Tram (Amsterdam council) and Amsterdam Transport Region. For more information go to: www.amstelveeninzicht.nl

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INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 5

Amstelveen under construction: this is what is going to happen

INZICHT IN THE CO MI N G YEA R S , A L OT W IL L H A P P EN IN AN D

ARO UN D A MSTE LV E E N . T H E A 9 W IL L B E W ID EN E D TO RE DUC E THE NUM B ER OF T RA F F IC J A M S , L IN E 5 1 WILL BE C O N V E RTE D TO A T RA M L IN E A N D A B OVE ALL, TH E STA DSH A RT WI L L B E TA C K L ED T O M A K E IT EV EN MO R E AT TRA CTI V E FO R R E S ID EN T S , B U S IN ES S ES A N D V ISITO R S. WE LIS T THE B I G G E S T D EV EL OP M EN T S A N D MILE STO N E S.

21st of June 2017 The Spatial Elaboration Vision Stadshart is recorded and handled in the city council

Early 2018 Redevelopment terraces Stadhuisplein

2017 - 2018 Preparatory activities such as removing green and shifting cables and pipes

4th quarter of 2018 Start realisation of the set-up area

2018 Decision Council of State Route Decision 2017

2018 Completion first phase City Garden Van Heuven Goedhartlaan (apartments and hotel)

March - April 2018 Traffic measures Oranjebaan and Laan van Langerhuize End of 2018 Traffic measures Keizer Karelweg

Note: The planning is based on assumptions. The contracted contractor for the A9 (known in the autumn of 2019) determines at a later stage what the exact planning will be. 6 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

March 2019 - Mid 2020 Widening viaduct Ouderkerkerlaan Autumn 2018 Traffic measures Oranjebaan

The Stadshart is ready for reconstruction and improvement. A new cinema on the Stadsplein, a new square and expansion of terraces are some of the possibilities that the ‘Ruimtelijke Uitwerking Visie Stadshart’ (established in June by the city council) offers. The proposal establishes frameworks within which owners in the Stadshart such as Unibail-Rodamco and a.s.r. (insurance company) can make plans. The goal is to have the heart of the city that functions as a downtown area, where functions such as living, shopping, catering, culture and work reinforce each other. The Stadshart is in fact a place for all Amstelveners.

2019 – 2022 Redevelopment Rembrandtweg Redevelopment of Stadsplein

March 2019 Speed tram 51 stops driving definitely, Public transport plan with bus 55 starts temporarily

2nd - 4th of quarter 2020 Extra time for the outbound construction activities, test phase and start renewed Amstelveen line

14th of July - 26th of August 2019 Tram 5 out of service for the summer

31st of December 2020 Ultimate date delivery by main contractor VITAL

1st half of 2020 Start construction work A9: the first construction has started!

2021 - 2022 Traffic is being moved to the current northern carriageway for the construction of the wider southern carriageway

INZICHT

Speed-tram 51 is being converted into a reliable and safe tramline with Amsterdam-Zuid station as the end / start stop. There will be three same level intersections, a stabling zone and new trams with low entry and exit. Four stops will be cancelled and two will be merged into one stop at a new location. All other stops will be renewed. Tram 5 also benefits from the renewal between Zuid and the city centre. The client is the Transport Region Amsterdam. Metro and Tram from the Amsterdam council will accompany the implementation. VITAL is the main contractor. The project will be carried out between 2017 and 2021.

Department of Waterways and Public Works will expand the busy motorways between Schiphol, Amsterdam and Almere in the years to come. Between Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht the motorway goes from three to four lanes in both directions. At Amstelveen, the motorway is being deepened over a distance of 1.3 kilometres. There will be roofs covering at the height of the Oude Dorp, the Stadshart and the Bovenlandpad. The improvement of liveability on the project increases compared to the current situation, due to the construction of new noise barriers. In addition, work is being done to ensure that the measures are as green as possible.

2022 - 2024 Redevelopment Meander + A9 connection

In the previous edition of Amstelveen InZicht Magazine there was an appeal to vote on the design for the new bicycle bridge on the A9. The bridge with trees, in the voting round indicated as "Bridge B", has been declared as the absolute winner. This design received no less than 77% of all the votes. The other designs received about 7% of the votes each. In total close to 12,000 votes were cast on the four designs. The architects of the winning design, Paul de Ruiter architects and CULD, are commissioned to draw up the sketch design.

1st quarter 2021 Completion project

2023 - 2024 Traffic is being moved to the southern carriageway for the construction of the wider northern carriageway

BRIDGE WITH A MASS AMOUNT OF TREES CHOSEN AS FAVOURITE BICYCLE BRIDGE!

2024 - 2026 The project Badhoevedorp Holendrecht will be delivered. The first cars will drive over the widened A9.

Councilman A9 Herbert Raat (VVD): "Amstelveen has clearly chosen. We are overwhelmed by the success. This shows that residents like to have a say in what their city will look like. The design fits well with the green character of the city. As far as I am concerned, the next step for the Amstelveners is to think about a name for the bridge. We will see how this will take shape in the coming period." WHY A BICYCLE BRIDGE? Seen from the south, the (slope of the) bridge starts at the Ouderkerkerlaan and on the north side the (slope of the) bridge ends at the bus station. With this bridge, motorised traffic is separated from slow traffic. This creates a smoother flow at the crossroads and makes the crossing safer for cyclists, moped riders and pedestrians. The construction of the bicycle bridge will be produced in the final phase of the A9 project widening (no later than 2024-2026). INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 7

F.L.T.R FIEKE UITENTUIS, HAROLD TOPPER, COR MOLLEMAN

M A K I N G S PA C E F O R R E N E WA L DO YOU NOTICE THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE A DIVERSION MORE OFTEN ON YOUR WAY TO WORK, SCHOOL OR THE SUPERMARKET? IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE RENEWAL OF THE AMSTELVEEN LINE. THE PREPARATORY WORK FOR THIS PROJECT IS NOW IN FULL SWING. AND THAT IS NOTICEABLE AND VISIBLE IN THE CITY.

IN SHORT

COMPLEX JOB

The Amstelveen line (speed tram 51) changes to a tram line with Amsterdam Zuid station as the end / start stop. Rails, switches, overhead lines and technical systems are all renewed or will get major maintenance. Three intersections - on the Benelux track at Kronenburg, Zonnestein and the Sportlaan - will be given a deeper position. Four stops will be cancelled: Amstelveen Centre, Marne, Gondel and Spinnerij. The stops De Boelelaan / VU and A.J. Ernststraat will be merged into one new stop at a new location. All other stops will be renewed and made suitable for the new low-floor trams. Tram 5 also benefits from the renewal between Zuid and the Stadshart.

"At this moment we are in the preparatory phase", says Harold Topper, environmental manager at the Amstelveen line project organisation. “Space is now being created for renewal as it were. The ground has to be prepared for construction, thousands of meters of cables have been laid and trees have been removed. This is currently mainly visible around the Kronenburg and Zonnestein stops where Nuon Warmte and Gasunie are engaged in replacement activities. This preparatory work causes inconvenience. But everything we do now ensures that everything will be ready sooner." "For the residents it does not matter whether we consider the work as 'preparatory'" says Cor Molleman, team leader green at the municipality of Amstelveen. "They just see a construction pit in front of their door. Or that trees are disappearing in the street.” The task of the project organisation is to keep people informed about the plans as much as possible. What can they expect and when? Because three intersections are built deeper, you can actually see how many cables and pipes are in the way. The large part of the job appears difficult to imagine in practice. This is what we have noticed during conversations with residents: "Wow, I did not realise it would be that bad."

8 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

COVERSTORY

'T HE PR E PA R AT O RY WO R K WI LL LE A D T O A REL IAB LE

CO N N ECTIO N WI T H A MS T E R D A M'

"That's right, once the building site has been established and the first shovel has gone into the ground, that's a reality check for people." The speaker is Fieke Uitentuis, environment manager at VITAL, the main contractor for the project. "The fact that we do a lot to reduce the inconvenience was one of the reasons we got this project. The most important thing is that we have chosen to concentrate the work as much as possible. The peak is in the summer of 2019. Then tram 5 will be out of service for six weeks (speed tram 51 will no longer be operational as of March 2019 onwards) and sometimes workers may also be busy in the evening and at night. This also applies to a number of weekends in 2019 and 2020. That is prevented as much as possible.” SAFETY

In addition to minimising the inconvenience, safety on and around the construction site is of vital importance. "Literally”, says Fieke. "A building project can be really successful, but with just one accident it can all fall apart. That is why we pay a lot of attention to safety on and around the construction site. For example, schools in the immediate vicinity are visited for the purpose of teaching a program. The building site is not a playground, because a building site has an enormous appeal to children.”

BICYCLE DIVERSIONS During the work on the Amstelveen line, the bicycle path on the east side of the Beneluxbaan between Uilenstede and Oranjebaan is not accessible. Instead, you can cycle through the Max Havelaarlaan, Westelijk Halfrond, Eleanor Rooseveltlaan and the Prof. J.H. Bavincklaan. It will take you approximately 2 minutes longer.

"With such an extensive construction project, safety is the most important for everyone”, Harold emphasises. One of the recent decisions is that we are already going to use bicycle diversions through the neighbourhoods near Kronenburg and Zonnestein. A few months earlier than planned due to various activities that take place here and there. It is not just confusing but also unsafe to always have to change route. ‘I could still pass by last week?’ It is clearer to have the same diversion (s) take longer, so that people get used to it and as a result fewer accidents will happen." C O N T I N U O U S LY W E I G H I N G THE PRO’S AND CON’S

One of the activities that will catch the eye in the autumn of 2018 is the removal of green along the Beneluxbaan at the junctions of Kronenburg, Zonnestein and Sportlaan. "This is necessary so that VITAL can put the temporary roads there at the beginning of 2019”, Cor says. "If we do not do this, the traffic in Amstelveen will longer be shut down. In this specific case, accessibility was decisive, but with every decision there is this consideration: what does this have for consequences for accessibility, safety and the quality of life in the city? Amstelveen is a green council and it should stay that way." Fieke: "Because we are going to build the Sportlaan with a sunken intersection, we are saving trees. There is even an ecologist involved to take a look at how each tree or each cut can have consequences for flora and fauna in Amstelveen. Because the tree is on a bat route for example. In this way, we also try to make that decision on other points: not always in everyone's streets but with the best of intentions and always in consultation.” More information about the project on: amstelveenlijn.nl. INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 9

E X PA N S I O N A 9 I N A M S T E LV E E N HOW DO WE GET THE MOTORWAY TO FIT INTO THE LANDSCAPE PERFECTLY? WE TALKED ABOUT THIS WITH ERNST VAN RIJN, ARCHITECT AND PARTNER AT BUREAU WURCK AND SUPERVISOR OF THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE RIJKSWEG.

HOW DID YOU COME ABOUT GETTING THIS CONTRACT FROM THE MINISTRY OF WATERWAYS AND PUBLIC WORKS? "We were commissioned a few years ago to make an Aesthetic Program of Requirements for the A9 Badhoevedorp Holendrecht project. Such a Publication Aesthetic Program of Requirements is a coherent set of aesthetic requirements for the design of the new motorway and everything that comes with it. This mainly concerns the landscaping of the road in the area and the design. For example, what should a viaduct look like and how does a (motorway) road fit best within the green environment? As an architect, you determine the aesthetic preconditions within which the contractor later makes the detailed technical elaboration. We are therefore not concerned with how thick the concrete should be, but with the design of all visible parts of the viaducts, roofs and noise barriers. The planting is also an important part. WHAT DOES THIS PROJECT DO WITH THE RESIDENTS OF AMSTELVEEN? "You could say that there are simply twenty kilometres of motorway being widened, but that is not all. The most important thing is to reduce the inconvenience for the 10 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

environment. There will be more and higher noise barriers and the motorway will be deepened and locally roofed. Seen from the city, the motorway literally disappears from the image to a large extent and the roofs enable us to connect the two halves of Amstelveen better and in a more pleasant way. Because of these changes, the residents will soon not be able to recognise coming home so quickly. Instead of going down you will drive upwards when you enter Amstelveen from the motorway. You arrive at a beautiful green entrance square that connects with the Keizer Karelweg and the Burgemeester Rijnderslaan. The Stadshart gets a new 'headline' which is immediately visible on arrival.â&#x20AC;? WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE WIDENING OF THE A9 FOR THE HEART OF THE CITY? "The traffic from the A9 will soon go through the current rear of the Schouwburg garage via a new exit. The Meander will become an entrance area for the Stadshart through the new exit. In the current situation you have the back of the Stadsschouwburg, the bus lane with a traffic square and the slope of the A9. Because a new connection is added, the traffic will spread through the city.

INDEVELOPMENT

'B Y CO N N E CT I N G N O RT H A ND S O UT H, Y O U CA N MA K E O N E AM S T E LV E E N A G A I N .’

WHAT DO ALL THESE PLANS MEAN FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN AMSTELVEEN? "They will soon enter Amstelveen in a completely different way. You will not approach a big block of concrete, but you will drive in a lot of green and you see the renewed Stadshart when you enter Amstelveen. Other landmarks, but more attractive and more beautiful. The motorway disappears completely from the picture and as a result more connections between north and south arise.”

Rijnderslaan and the Meander. This green and open connection ensures that you can cross pleasantly and safely and no longer have to go through the current narrow tunnel. Right next to the Old Village is a full roof of the highway that will be arranged as a park. The Anna Church will soon be directly on this park. There is room for the hotel and catering industry and events, making it a lively area where people can meet and enjoy nature. There are also several new hiking trails, cycle paths and playgrounds for children."

WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO CONNECT NORTH AND SOUTH WITH EACH OTHER? "The challenge is to use the necessary renovation of the motorway to immediately improve the environment. In the current situation, the motorway forms a high barrier between the north and south sides of the city and this also somewhat separates the people who live there. By deepening the motorway and installing coverings, you will remove the physical separation for a large part and create the possibility to make one Amstelveen again. For example, a broad park bridge over the A9 for cyclists and pedestrians will take place between the Burgemeester

HOW IS THE GREEN CHARACTER OF THE CITY BEING CONSIDERED? "Green is very important for Amstelveen! The deepened location of the motorway is therefore given a very green decoration, kind of like a business card for Amstelveen. But the 'Bomenbrug' is perhaps the most striking example, the future eyecatcher of Amstelveen. Following a competition, five designs were submitted and the 'Bomenbrug' emerged as the obvious winner. This design received no less than 77% of the nearly 12,000 votes. The bridge connects the north and south of Amstelveen for cyclists and pedestrians, comfortably and completely crossroad-free over the motorway and the entrance square for cars. Incidentally, it does not feel like you are riding a bridge or walking across it. You will experience the 'Bomenbrug' as a slightly elevated park landscape with large trees next to the path. The pots that contain the trees carry the road surface of the bridge. That is very cleverly thought through.”

‘THE N E W “ B O MENBRU G” W IL L BE THE EYEC ATC HE R OF THE C I T Y ! ’

INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 11

CHANCES FOR T H E S TA D S H A R T HANS GORT OPENED CAFE-RESTAURANT 'DIXIE' ALMOST TWENTY YEARS AGO, ONE OF THE FIRST CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE CITY SQUARE. HE HAS SEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STADSHART FROM CLOSE UP. HOW DOES THIS BORN ENTREPRENEUR SEE THE NEW PLANS FOR THE CENTRE? “THE END RESULT WILL BE WONDERFUL BUT THE WAY TOWARDS THAT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE EASY.”

12 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

INDEVELOPMENT

Although he now officially lives in Aalsmeer, he still comes to Amstelveen daily. “I live just past the council border, but for all the facilities we are still drawn towards Amstelveen. My wife is from here and I fell in love with the city at that time. Under the smoke of Amsterdam, beautiful in green and with an international character. Yes, as a council, Amstelveen has a great reputation.” When Hans got the chance to open a catering business on the city square in 1999, he did not think twice. For seventeen years, he was the owner of the successful bar-restaurant Dixie. In 2015 he sold Dixie to an enthusiastic successor. He keeps his other business in Amstelveen, the FEBO.

‘A G O O D HO T E L A N D

CATERIN G IN DUSTRY IS LI K E CE ME N T F O R T H E S O CI E T Y ’

YOU REALLY MADE AN EFFORT FOR FEBO AT THE TIME. WHY?

“Because I think the whole segment should be represented in a centre. Amstelveen has many classy shops. And that is fine, but that also needs to be a balance. P.C. Hooftstraat meets Kinkerstraat, that idea. When the council agreed with the arrival of the FEBO, that was a turning point for me. People now look more at what is needed, instead of 'what is supposed to be'.” HOW DOES THAT FIT WITH THE PLANS FOR THE STADSHART?

“The city is maturing so the plans are logical. The Stadshart used to be no more than just a shopping centre. Over the years, more and more facilities were added: the library, the cultural stage and various hotel and catering establishments. Now is the time to create unity, to ensure more interconnection, to make room for different types of facilities, such as a cinema. That way the city really becomes the Stadshart where people like to visit.“ WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

“That's right, we have a long way to go. The work on the City Square and the Rembrandtweg are only at the beginning, but I notice that there are already worries and concerns among the entrepreneurs. Worries that I share. Will we be accessible in the future? Will people not drive around and avoid the square completely? And what about in 5 to 6 years? Will we be completely forgotten? Of course we are all happy with the construction drawings and the future big picture, but how are things going to effect us during the construction? The council will have to help the entrepreneurs to keep their heads above water. Fortunately, that is the case.” HOW DO YOU NOTICE THAT?

“Because they are listening and they are thinking with us. Accessibility is crucial for a shopping area. Signposting, alternative routes, even before the exit to Amstelveen, visitors must be informed about the activities and detours. Before construction starts on the west side, it must be completely finished on the east side. These kinds of things are important for the council and the retailers. I have been arguing for a differentiated parking fee for years. The garage under the library is hardly used in the evening. Why not let hotel and catering entrepreneurs benefit from it? 'Free parking for two hours if you come to dine with me'. It works. Just look at Café-restaurant Dauphine in Amsterdam.”

also facilitate this: making spaces available, not too much rent, where young entrepreneurs can settle temporarily. A bit like the ‘pop-up idea’. The advantage of this: you keep the city exciting. Basically the same as shop owners do it. One week women's shoes in-front of the store, the other week men's fashion.” THE NIEUWE LOOPVELD WILL BECOME A PLACE FOR CATERING. IS THAT A PLACE FOR THESE KINDS OF CONCEPTS?

“Yes, that surely is a possibility. You could rent a part of the units and use a different part for this kind of temporary concepts. Now, for example, sushi and pulled pork are very popular. Next year this will probably be something else: as a city centre it is important that you can keep up with the trends. I myself am continuously busy making people happy, surprising them. I believe that we are the only FEBO in the Netherlands with a terrace. And when it gets dark, then we just light the candles on the tables! What we do in small, the council should do it big: make it fun for people, let them enjoy it. So that they say to one and other: Amstelveen, that is where you need to go!'”

DO YOU THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR SIMILAR SPOTS IN AMSTELVEEN?

“Not a second Dauphine, but I do see possibilities for a different type of catering in places that are not obvious. You often see when a good restaurant or bar comes, the activity automatically follows. The council and landlord could

INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 13

‘INVOLVEMENT AND VISIBILITY ARE KEY’ "IN THE PAST WE SIMPLY BUILT A NEW ROAD WITHOUT REALLY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE. THAT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT NOW. WE ARE EVEN SITTING DOWN WITH THE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND EXPLAIN ", SAYS KEES ABRAHAMSE OF THE MINISTRY OF WATERWAYS AND PUBLIC WORKS. AS ENVIRONMENT MANAGER, HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTACTS BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF WATERWAYS AND PUBLIC WORKS AND THE COUNCILS, PROVINCE AND WATER BOARDS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE WIDENING OF THE A9.

The widening of the A9 is part of the SAA program (Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere). It is the largest road program of the past and coming years and consists of 5 projects. The aim of the program is to reduce the traffic jams between these cities, to improve the accessibility of the northern Randstad and to improve the quality of life.

The A9 is being deepened in Amstelveen over a distance of 1,3 kilometres. In both directions the motorway goes from three to four lanes. There are also roofs at the height of the Old Village, the Stadshart and the Bovenlandpad. A new traffic junction with the Keizer Karelweg, Meander and Burgemeester Rijnderslaan will be built on the roof at the Stadshart and a bridge will be built for cyclists and pedestrians. The widening of the A9 and everything that comes with it is a huge project that has a lot of interest. From the Departement of Waterways and Public Works we therefore organise, with the Experience centre Amstelveen InZicht, information evenings, excursions, bike rides and bus tours for people who want to know more about it. If the construction starts according to plan in 2020, there will be viewpoints at three locations. People can look from a great height view the situation and stay informed. Visibility and involvement are important, says Kees Abrahamse. "With the activities we organise, we try to increase the involvement of the residents of Amstelveen, Badhoevedorp and Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. Everyone wants to be heard and we try to do that as well as possible. We listen carefully to people and although we can not accommodate everything, we answer all questions. This is something

14 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

that we are open and transparent in. That trust is very important.” THE SAME BENEFITS

The highway will soon disappear from view, because it will drop ten metres below the ground. In the current situation the motorway is eight meters high and there are also noise barriers that take away from the view. In the new situation, the environment is improving in terms of noise. Thanks to the deepened motorway and the new noise barriers, the number of decibels on average decreases from 71 dB to 65 dB and in some places even to 50 dB. Hedera is planted against the noise barriers, so that it becomes a green entity and the road gets more into the environment. The trees that are now on both sides of the A9 will be removed during construction. We will replace these later with

INDEVELOPMENT

'AT TH E VANTAG E POI NTS PE O P LE CA N C OM E AND S EE DU R IN G T H E CO NS TRU C TI ON'

large trees, so that it is immediately beautifully decorated. A so-called insolation study has also been done. At various times, the position of the sun was examined and the height of the noise barriers was adjusted accordingly. The people who live along the A9 are therefore still having the same sunshine.

TRAFFIC ADJUSTMENTS

Although construction will not start until 2019, preparations have already started at a number of locations in Amstelveen, so that traffic will continue to improve. "There will be temporary lanes at various locations. There will also be smart traffic lights, so that cars can drive on the bus lane together with the buses. On such a bus lane a bus passes several times per hour. The flow of traffic increases if we can also use these bus lanes for car traffic. After the realisation, there will also be a dynamic parking system, so that you can see exactly how many parking spaces are still available in the various parking garagesâ&#x20AC;?, says Abrahamse.

PILE TESTS

"We are currently working on the tendering procedure for the project. To be able to build, you need a contractor", says Abrahamse. It is a so-called DBFM contract, which stands for Design Build Finance and Maintain. For the design nine months have been calculated for the contractor, five years for the construction, fourteen years for the maintenance and of course the financing must also be arranged for the purchase of all materials and the costs of the execution. Abrahamse: "The parties have a year to prepare a good plan through a dialogue with the Department of Waterways and Public Works. As a result, three parties remain that can earn bonus points by coming up with good ideas and smart solutions. So we do not just look at who is cheapest. Incidentally, this all happens behind the scenes. The people in Amstelveen do not know about this now. "

"It also started with the relocation of important cables and pipelines. This does then not have to be done during the execution. Water pipes have been drilled west of the Annakerk on the Amsterdamseweg and in March a double water pipeline was moved via a bore below the A9 at Schiphol. Abrahamse: "Moving pipes often takes only two days and this will happen in the weekend. We try to limit the inconvenience as much as possible.â&#x20AC;?

Where local residents possibly might notice something, are the pile tests that start in mid April. "At two different locations near the A9 we will try different foundation possibilities to see what the nuisance is in terms of noise and vibrations. This happens in the May break near the Keizer Karel College. There is a piece of untouched soil. And to the east of the Operabuurt there is a piece of sprayed ground (old ramp to the A9) with sand where it will be driven. In addition, there is currently preparatory work on the Laan van Langerhuize.

'W E D O EV ERYTH I NG W E C A N T O LI MI T TH E

IN CONVENIENC E AS M U CH A S P OS S I BL E'

INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 15

I N C O N TA C T YOU CAN GO ON AN EXCURSION TO SEE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN AMSTELVEEN. WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO? AMSTELVEEN STARTS CONSTRUCTION: THE A9 IS BEING WIDENED, THE OLD 51 SPEED TRAM MAKES ROOM FOR A NEW TRAM LINE AND THE STADSHART WILL ALSO GET A BOOST. BUT WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY THINK, THE AMSTELVENERS, ABOUT IT? IN EVERY EDITION WE HIT THE STREETS WITH ONE QUESTION.

PAT R I C I A What I find interesting to see is how they will preserve the green area or construct it in all renovations around the Amstelveen line. That simply can not be subordinate!

J AY Where we are standing now will be completely covered I believe. I would really like to see that, because I am still standing outside on the market. That's why I am definitely going to take a look. 16 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

‘ I T H IN K T HE S H OP P IN G C E N T R E IS A L R E A DY IN C R E DIB LY B E A U T IF U L’

TEUN AND ROBERT (T) I've been working here for ten years so I've seen quite a bit. I have always seen the square become nicer and more c o s y. A t f i r s t i t w a s a l l p r e t t y b a r e b u t n o w y o u c a n s e e m o r e terraces, for example. I do think it could do with a bit more s p a r k , e v e n m o r e c o s y. I f t h e r e w e r e s o m e m o r e o f t h a t , I would definitely go there. The image of the city square does not have Brabant cosiness that I am used to yet. (R) I agree, especially during the week it could be a little more fun. Although there are many fun activities. Enough is organised in that respect. In the summer there is women's football, that seems like it would be pretty nice to see. (T) Oh, and in early 2019 Hudson's Bay will open. That is now a bit of a forgotten corner so it's nice if there will be more going on.

LIESBETH To t h e s h o p p i n g c e n t r e . If I am honest, I think the shopping centre is already i n c r e d i b l y b e a u t i f u l . I t ’s b i g , there are a lot of shops and there is a nice atmosphere. What I still miss here is good places to go out for people my age (40).

INZICHT AMSTELVEEN 17

I N C O N TA C T

W H AT W I L L C H ANGE I N PU B L I C T RA N S P O RT I N T H E U P C OM I NG S I X M O NT H S ? BIGGEST CHANGE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT FROM THE AMSTERDAM REGION SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HORSE TRAM.

For everyone who travels with public transport in and around Amsterdam, a lot will change on the 22nd of July 2018. Not only can you quickly change from Amsterdam Noord to Amsterdam Zuid with the Noord / Zuidlijn, but also a large part of the public transport network in the Amsterdam region. It concerns the transport plans of GVB for Amsterdam, Connexxion for the Zaanstreek and EBS for Waterland. The most important change for Amstelveen is that tram 5 will divert from the Leidseplein to the Westerpark instead of the Central Station. The part between Amstelveen Stadshart - Leidseplein remains unchanged.

LINE 51 AND LINE 52 If the North / South line (line 52) starts driving on the 22nd of July 2018, the speed tram / metro 51 will still continue its usual route. For seven months, the traveller on the Amsterdam-Zuid - Central Station route then has the choice of line 51 or line 52. The 51 speed tram will be cancelled from March 2019. From there, metro 51 will continue to run between Isolatorweg and Central Station via Amsterdam Zuid and Amstelstation. FINAL DECISION On the 5th of April the day-to-day management of the Amsterdam Transport Region took a final decision about starting with the new public transport network. If you already have questions, would like transfer information or have other concerns, you can always turn to GVB Customer Service. They can be reached by telephone via 0900-8011 (usual call charges) from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm.

TEST TRAVELLERS WANTED! Maybe you are already part of the 16,500 people who have shown interest in being a test traveller for the North / South line. If not, you can still register via gvb.nl/testmee. And what exactly gets tested? There are various scenarios that GVB wants to test. They may ask you to carry out a travel assignment during your North / South line journey. But it may also be that you are part of, for example, an evacuation of a station that is supposedly on fire, in which emergency services such as the fire brigade and the police also appear. So a real life situation will be created!

D O YOU HAVE A QUESTION? M A IL Y OU R QU ES T ION T O IN FO @ AMSTE LV E E N IN ZIC H T. N L AN D WH O KN O WS. Y OU R QU ES T ION A B O UT TH E D E V E LO P ME N TS IN AMSTE LV E E N M AY B E A N S W ERED IN T HE FO LLO WIN G E D ITIO N O F TH IS MAGAZIN E . 18 INZICHT AMSTELVEEN

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DE DE DE DE

DAG VAN DAG VAN BOUW! BOUW!

A9, Amstelveenlijn, Stadshart. Er gebeurt heel veel in Amstelveen. Tijdens de Dag van de Bouw Stadshart. vormt belevingscentrum startpunt van allerlei A9, Amstelveenlijn, Er gebeurt heelInZicht veel inhetAmstelveen. Tijdens de activiteiten: fietsexcursie langs de A9, rondleidingen, In InZicht en Dag van de Bouw vormt belevingscentrum InZichtbustours. het startpunt van hoor allerlei zie je alle ins & outs van langs de projecten. Voor jong en oud! activiteiten: fietsexcursie de A9, rondleidingen, bustours. In InZicht hoor en zie je alle ins & outs van de projecten. Voor jong en oud! Vanaf mei vind je op www.amstelveeninzicht.nl het programma van deze dag. Vanaf mei vind je op www.amstelveeninzicht.nl het programma van deze dag.

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We hopen je op zaterdag 2 juni te mogen begroeten tĳdens de Dag van de Bouw!