UTRECHT, 11 August 2008 – Strukton and TBI Infra have devised an alternative solution for the A6 and A9 motorway connection between Amsterdam and Almere. The solution involves the construction of a tunnel that uses existing foreign technology to entirely remove and filter fine particles, without ventilator towers creating an eyesore or polluting the landscape.
The plan involves creating a closed outer ring road around Amsterdam via a tunnel between the Holendrecht and Muiderberg junctions: the ‘missing link’ between the A9 and A6 motorways in the direction of Almere. The tunnel consists of two tunnel sections, each comprising three layers, with a centre layer for three lanes. The tunnel passes the Naardermeer, some distance from the current A1 motorway. What’s more, since it lies underground, it will be invisible, inaudible and odourless. Only after the Muiderberg junction in the direction of Almere will the tunnel emerge from beneath the ground. Its design incorporates the technical and traffic-related expertise of the Haskoning engineering agency.
The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management is currently preparing to make major changes to the road system surrounding Amsterdam and Almere. This process will cause major inconvenience to traffic over the next five years. Important nature conservation areas including the Bloemendalerpoler, the banks of the River Vecht and various residential areas surrounding Amsterdam will also be affected.
In contrast to the current option, the underground solution tabled by Strukton and TBI offers a range of advantages. For example, the environment will be spared through combining the tunnel’s smart design with innovative technology. The extraction system for fine particles and even spread and flow of traffic will also ensure a better living environment for the residential areas. The alternative plan will create a shorter route for users and enhance the accessibility of both Almere and Amsterdam – now and in the future. What’s more, this solution will cause far less inconvenience during the construction phase than the planned activities.
The innovative plan is an unsolicited proposal submitted to the ideas desk of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works & Water Management. Calculations show that the plan could be achieved within the scope of the current ministerial budget.