Improving traffic flow over the Noorderbrug bridge
Using modern technology to preserve heritage and ease congestion
PROJECT STORY
The challenge
The municipality of Maastricht wanted to improve traffic flow over the Noorderbrug bridge, but also had to take its military heritage into account.
The solution
Arcadis proposed an integrated approach combining heritage and modern technology to construct the new Noorderbrug bridge route.
The impact
Traffic in and around Maastricht now flows better and the old fortifications are more visible than before.
90%
cost savings on surveys via effective coordination
0%
downtime during civil engineering work
The challenge
Traffic flow in Maastricht had been problematic for years, so tackling it was a matter of urgency. The most logical solution was to change the route over the Noorderbrug bridge, but the intended area contained valuable remnants of the Limburg capital's military past. The municipality of Maastricht therefore needed an integrated approach that solved the traffic bottlenecks while preserving the cultural and historical heritage for generations to come.
The solution
Constructing a new route over the Noorderbrug bridge was also an opportunity to spruce up the immediate surroundings. Arcadis proposed an integrated approach based on preserving, showcasing and explaining the cultural and historical heritage. This was one of the municipality's key requirements, because ensuring that these sites of historical importance can be seen and experienced contributes to the spatial quality, living environment and identity of the city of Maastricht.
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Because of its position on the Meuse, Maastricht has always been a strategically important military location. When the city walls were no longer necessary for physical protection, a large part of the historic fortifications and city gates were demolished to make room for the industrial expansion of the city. However, part of this valuable cultural and historical heritage from Maastricht's military past had been preserved above and below ground and fell within the plans for developing the Noorderbrug bridge route and the Frontenpark. Fortunately, we were able to unearth and restore the existing military heritage and integrate it into the new design.
As the sites of historical importance were both above and below ground, it was essential to take an integrated approach combining disciplines including archeology, cultural history and structural engineering. It resulted in better protection for these sites, stronger survey results and appropriate advice regarding restoration and conservation in both the short and long-term. The approach also provided insight into the risks in terms of plan implementation and design. Carrying out the surveys at an early stage of the project meant that it was possible to integrate part of the heritage into the future design. For example, the ramparts and defensive moat between the Hoge and Lage Fronten fortifications have been excavated and now serve as recreational and ecological points of interest in the Frontenpark.
The impact
Thanks to our integrated approach to constructing the new Noorderbrug bridge route, traffic now flows better in and around Maastricht and its military heritage has been preserved. In fact, the old fortifications are much more visible than before, making these historical sites more tangible and improving the quality of the living environment. By telling the story of the fortifications in this way, the rich history of the city becomes even more important to Maastricht, its inhabitants and tourists. Careful coordination also saved 90% of the costs of surveys and avoided downtime during civil engineering work.