After the new traffic measure on De Clercqstraat, the city will no longer be an option.
The municipality of Amsterdam is taking the next step in its mobility policy by introducing a cut in the De Clercqstraat, specifically at the Da Costakade in West. The intention is that motorists will no longer be able to enter the center from that point. However, driving out of the city center remains possible.
The municipality has announced the cut as part of its aim to make the city safer for its residents and visitors. However, not all entrepreneurs are pleased with this new initiative. The exact date of implementation of the cut is still unknown, but what is clear is that the preparatory work will start after the summer of 2024.
This specific traffic measure is part of the larger renovation project 'de Oranje Loper'. Central to this project is, among other things, the work on bridge 108, which spans De Clercqstraat and thus connects the two Da Costa quays. A specially placed bollard will deny car traffic access to the centre. During the renovation, the road surface will also be renewed, and a special bicycle street will also be realized between the Elisabeth Wolffstraat and the Nassaukade. In addition to these measures, the maximum speed in this area will be reduced to 30 kilometers per hour.
The municipality is optimistic and expects that, after an adjustment period, through traffic will opt for a different route via the A10 ring road, or perhaps via Bilderdijkstraat. This change is partly prompted by the enormous crowds caused by cyclists who use this area every day. By intervening, the municipality hopes to create a traffic-safe environment where trams can pass smoothly and where cyclists and pedestrians can move around in a more relaxed setting.
The decision of the municipality is in line with earlier statements by business economist and professor of City Logistics at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Walter Ploos van Amstel. As mentioned earlier, he pointed to the need for an integrated vision of mobility and public space in Amsterdam. It is clear that the city is taking a new direction with its mobility policy, with the cuts, such as those on Weesperstraat and now De Clercqstraat, acting as possible watersheds between the old and new policies.
Responsible for this portfolio Melanie van der Horst expects that more than 100 bridges in the city do not meet national weight requirements.
Recent research by the municipality of Amsterdam shows that the construction of 33 city bridges does not meet the national weight requirements for heavy traffic. In addition, it is suspected that another 103 bridges also do not meet these requirements. The investigation also revealed that 149 quay walls have shifted considerably over the years.
These alarming findings are included in a letter to the city council from alderman Melanie van der Horst, who is responsible for this portfolio. Van der Horst emphasized that not all 136 bridges that probably do not meet the weight requirements need to be replaced. The reason for this lies in the outdated assessment method that has been used until now. The municipality will use a new assessment method to determine which bridges actually need to be replaced.
An additional problem is the continuing inflation, which increases the implementation costs. As a result, the municipality can carry out less work for the same budget. Van der Horst indicates that it will be a complex 'puzzle' for the municipality to steer the implementation of projects and planning in the right direction while keeping costs manageable at the same time.
The findings from the study raise new challenges for the capital. The maintenance and safety of infrastructure are crucial for the quality of life and accessibility of the city. With the recent announcement of traffic measures, such as the planned cut in De Clercqstraat, Amsterdam's infrastructure remains high on the urban agenda. The municipality will now have to make strategic decisions about which bridges have priority and how best to allocate financial resources to ensure the safety and functionality of the city.
