Description

The current train track is a bottleneck in Delft. The train viaduct causes inconvenience and risks, and it is not designed for future train traffic. Since NS' plans in 1988 to double the track, stakeholders have been working together to find a sustainable solution. In 1998, the municipality of Delft commissions Catalan urban planner, Professor Joan Busquets, who a year later gives his vision in the 'Mas-terplan Spoorzone' and the 'design public space'. At the end of 2004, minister Peijs gives the green light for the tunnel and the Spoorzone Delft project can start in 2005.

With the railway underground, space is created for the redevelopment of an area totalling 40 hectares, from DSM/Gist to beyond the old railway yard. The rail tunnel will be 2300 metres long and with space for four tracks. Above the tunnel, there will be an elongated 600-metre city park. The Bolwerk will be green space with water. A canal with a 650-space underground car park will be built against the route. In the middle and southern part of the Spoorzone, 1,500 new homes will be built and 50,000 m2 of office space. At the centre will be a special building that houses the station hall and the municipal city office, surrounded by a transport hub for train, tram, bus and taxi.
Construction of the city office and station hall started in 2009. The first two tracks were in use in 2014, the rail tunnel was completed in 2017 and the last new homes will be delivered in 2020. The total investment in the area will amount to 1 mil-billion euros, including 650 million euros in project costs.

The visit starts with a tour of the Spoorzone where we get a full picture of the activities in progress and of the locations where building, park and transport hub are emerging.
In the presentation, master plan and design of public space are explained in terms of their urban planning ideas. Naturally, it zooms in on construction methods and craftsmanship used to build the tunnel. The railway tunnel goes right through Delft and passes several monumental or steel-built buildings. Most of the construction of the tunnel is therefore done using the 'walls - roof method' in combination with diaphragm walls, a low-vibration and low-noise construction method that requires relatively little space. The jacking up of mill 'De Roos' to build the tunnel underneath and the role of groundwater in underground construction projects are also highlighted.
Finally, attention is paid to the planning during the 10-year implementation period. The image quality plan will ensure continuity in the execution and quality of architecture, use of materials and construction.
During the presentation, there will be ample opportunity to exchange views with the speakers. The visit will end with drinks

Speaker(s)

ir. Remco Hoeboer MBA, project director ProRail
ir. Bart-Jan Kouwenhoven, director development company Spoorzone Delft

Location

Information centre Delft Builds, Barberasteeg 2,

Delft (opposite Delft NS railway station).

Organiser

Region South

Name and contact details for information

drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch, t: 06 506 38 128 or via the e-mail address below.

jocobowi@onsbrabantnet.nl