NL
What we do
Commissioned by Zuid Holland Bereikbaar we have put together a plan of measures. This for mobility management around the work planned for the Papendrecht bridge (also known as the Merwedebrug) in a few years’ time. The core of this was to create an alternative to the car for companies, residents and logistics during the work, and to entice them to do so.
As with the Brienenoord Bridge, the bridge will have to be replaced in its entirety and the road will be completely closed. However, the dynamics are different, as Dordrecht is almost like the “Alps of the Netherlands” in terms of traffic. Because the area is surrounded by water, there are only bridges/tunnels as access roads, like you only have to drive through a pass to reach the Alps.
Additional interesting challenge in this is that the bridge crosses the N3, which is a vital link between the A15 and A16. The road is an important alternative route for much freight traffic. Much of that traffic carries substances that are not allowed to pass through alternative tunnels and thus will have to be diverted otherwise towards Rotterdam.
In addition, the bridge is out of operation for long periods of time and consideration will have to be given to ensuring that everything goes safely. An alternative must also be found for cyclists. In the complete plan, we hope to put in place such measures and bring about a change in behavior that people will abandon their cars in the long term.
How we do it
So fewer people will be driving, but there must be something in return. To make commuting easier, we will map out where, how many and what alternatives we can put in place. This could include E-bike test-pools to facilitate the transition to public transport points. For the same reason we also set up mobility hubs with shared cars and scooters. We run ferries to let people bypass natural water blockages in an alternative way.
Because we are involved in related projects (including the Brienenoord Bridge and Artwork 58) that are also in the vicinity, we are now looking in cooperation with Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) whether the projects can be linked in terms of measures in order to achieve even better solutions. These optimizations can also save costs.
Where in one nuisance project a mobility hub seemed to have an ideal location, this assessment may yet change because with a nearby location it can also serve some of the traveling people in the other nuisance project. We are therefore also working with pop up hubs. We will soon start with the ‘beaver bus’ that transports people around Drechtsteden. A bus, which can also be used variably. We like to think in creative solutions to seemingly inflexible problems.
The result
After balancing all the measures against each other, including costs and testing the effectiveness per location, a project plan results. We also work with the parties to make the realization of the package of measures possible.
