Noorderbrug Route: the impetus for accessibility
The new King Willem-Alexandertunnel in Maastricht East improved the north-south directional flow of traffic in Maastricht. The Noorderbrug route project dovetailed with this enhancement and created an improved flow of Meuse-crossing traffic in the northern part of the city.
The impetus for liveability
By directing the new landing of the Noorderbrug towards the north and realizing a direct connection to Belgium the previous busy Statensingel, Frontensingel and Hertogsingel are now traffic-calm. The air quality in large parts of Maastricht has improved. That is also the case for environmental and living conditions. In streets where the new infrastructure resulted in an increase in passing traffic, measures have been taken to reduce nuisance, like noise-absorbing asphalt, noise barriers, and double glazing in homes alongside the road.
Space for the Sphinxkwartier
The new Noorderbrug route essentially enlarges the city centre. Access to the Sphinxkwartier has become easier and more attractive. It also has enhanced the lively vibrancy of the area. At the same time the Frontenpark and The Radium benefit from the improved connection with the Sphinxkwartier.
The impetus for the Frontenpark
The new Noorderbrug route helped restoring the old fortifications in the Lage Fronten to their former glory. By changing the route, space is freed up to reconnect the Hoge and Lage Fronten. This has created a new park, the Frontenpark, that encompasses more than twenty hectares. The Frontenpark is the counterpart of the city park on the south side of the city centre and has a wild and rugged character. The Frontenpark offers plenty of space for events, flora, fauna and cultural heritage.
Insertion operation Noorderbrug
Contractor Strukton Civiel delivered a technical tour de force of hitherto unprecedented Dutch size to speed up the rerouting of the Noorderbrug landing. In the summer of 2017, Strukton moved a 180-meter-long and 10 million-kilo heavy bridge section in a very controlled manner over a distance of 21.5 meters. Prior to the technical operation, part of the old Noorderbrug landing was demolished to make room for the new bridge section. All traffic was banned from the Noorderburg for two weeks while Strukton Civiel worked day and night.
Check out photo's and a timelapse of the insertion operation