Amsterdam construction work advisories: summer 2011

Overview of work

• IJtunnel maintenance

• Oostlijn maintenance and renovations (the metro line to Amsterdam Zuidoost)

• Wibautstraat redevelopment

• Roofing project at the bus station behind Amsterdam Central Station.

IJtunnel renovations

Friday, 8 July 20:00 - Monday, 5 September 06:00

This summer, work will be carried out in the IJtunnel to improve fire safety. The fire retardant plates on the walls and ceiling of the tunnel will be renewed. In order to carry out the work, one of the tunnel tubes will be closed while the other will remain open for buses and taxis.

Private vehicles are allowed to use the tunnel in the evenings and at night, but large goods vehicles will not be allowed to use the tunnel at any time while the renovations are being carried out.

Work will begin on the eastern tube of the tunnel (on the side of the Scheepvaartmuseum) before moving to the western tube (on the side of Central Station).

IJtunnel - consequences for traffic

During the maintenance work, only public transport, taxis and the emergency services will be allowed to use the tunnel in the daytime. Private traffic will be allowed to use the tunnel between 21:00 and 06:00 but large goods vehicles are not permitted to use the tunnel at any time.

Traffic will be diverted via the Piet Heintunnel, the Zeeburgertunnel, the Coentunnel or the Schellingwouderbrug. Follow the diversion signs on the A10.

Oostlijn metro line maintenance and renovation

Saturday, 23 July - Sunday, 4 September

The stations on the metro line between Amsterdam Central Station and Gaasperplas/Gein are nearly 35 years old and in need of major renovation in order to improve safety and meet current EU safety standards.

This summer, emergency escape routes and accompanying facilities will be renovated at the Central Station, Nieuwmarkt, Waterlooplein, Weesperplein and Wibautstraat metro stations. Up-to-date technology will be installed at the stations including new warning systems, screens on the platforms that can be lowered to help assist ventilation in case of emergency, large ventilators in the ceilings, additional fire detectors and loud speakers and improved (floor) lighting.

A large amount of the work has already been carried out, but the renovations can only be completed when the metro between Amsterdam Central Station and Amstel Station is not in service.

Oostlijn - consquences for passengers

During the renovation period, the metro will not run between Amsterdam Central Station and Amstel Station. Lines 53 and 54 will run from Amstel Station to the end of the lines in Zuidoost and back. Line 51 will only run as far as Spaklerweg Station.

A shuttle bus service will run between Amsterdam Central Station and Amstel Station. With the exception of Nieuwmarkt, the buses will stop close to the metro stations.

Shuttle bus route: From Amsterdam Central Station (GVB bus stop on Stationsplein --> Valkenburgerstraat bus stop close to Mr. Visserplein --> Weesperplein bus stop close to Sarphatistraat --> Wibautstraat bus stop close to De Ruyschstraat --> Amstel Station bus stop and back in reverse order to Central Station.

Tram lines 4 (from RAI to Amsterdam Central Station) and 5 (from Amstelveen Centrum to Amsterdam Central Station) will use the winter schedule.

Tram lines 9, 16 and 24 will travel more frequently than the usual summer schedule.

Wibautstraat redevelopment

The Wibautstraat is being transformed into an attractive, spacious city boulevard with ample greenery (see impression at top of page). Two traffic lanes in both directions will be separated by a middle section with two rows of trees. There will be bicycle and footpaths on both sides of the street, new lighting and loading/unloading bays.

Work on the side of the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis (OLVG) hospital has already been completed and redevelopment will now continue on the other side of the street, on the side of the Amstel River.

Wibautstraat - consequences for traffic

The street will remain in use but only one lane will be open to cars and large goods vehicles in both directions. A reserve lane will be created alongside for emergency services travelling towards Rhijnspoorplein.

The bicycle path on the Amstel side of the street is closed but cyclists can use the newly built path on the other side of the street.  

Pedestrians can also use the footpath on the OLVG side of the street. Houses and businesses on the Amstel side will remain accessible, where necessary using planks.

Turning left off the Wibautstraat is not permitted in both directions as this is hazardous on the narrow lanes. The area immediately surrounding the Wibautstraat remains accessible via other routes and diversions.

From Thursday, 14 July 07:00 to Friday, 15 July 19:00, when approaching from the Amsteldijk/Stadhouderskade, it will not be possible to travel from the Mauritskade to the Wibautstraat or Weesperstraat. Traffic will be diverted via the Mauritskade, Plantage Middenlaan, Plantage Parklaan and Anne Frankstraat.

The Rhijnspoorplein will be closed from Friday, 15 July 19.00 to Monday, 18 July 06.00. Traffic will be diverted via the Amsteldijk.

Saturday, 23 July to Sunday, 4 September
The metro will not be in service between Amsterdam Central Station and Amstel Station for six weeks beginning on 23 July. A shuttle bus service will be in operation, travelling along the Wibautstraat. This is permitted as by then, both lanes will be opened in both directions. Turning left is still not permitted.

Central station bus station roofing project

Amsterdam Central Station is also being renovated this summer. Behind the station, next to the River IJ, traffic will travel through a tunnel under the quayside, providing much needed space for pedestrians and cyclists behind Central Station.

The quay and the current bus platform will be covered by a glass and steel roof. Work on the roof began in April and 75% of the work is expected to be completed by November. The middle section of the roof will remain open for the time being, as work on the Noord/Zuid line is being carried out under this section.

Roofing project - consequences for traffic

De Ruijterkade closed at night-time
During the works, De Ruijterkade will usually be closed to all cars, bikes and pedestrians between 20:00 and 05:30. The road will remain open only if the work being carried out does not require its closure. Ferries will be accessible via the station. When De Ruijterkade is closed, traffic will be diverted via the front of Central Station.

From 16 July, the eastern tunnel at Amsterdam Central Station, that normally shuts at 20:00, will stay open until later in the evening. 

Diversions
Cars will be diverted in both directions via the route: Kattenburgerstraat --> Prins Hendrikkade --> Droogbak (Western entrance). Cyclists will be diverted via the Prins Hendrikkade. Pedestrians can access the ferries as normal until 01:00 via the station. After 01:00, the ferries can be accessed by walking around the western side of the station (past the Ibis hotel).

Alternative bus stops for Arriva buses
One consequence of the works is that the location of Arriva bus stops (for buses heading to Waterland: Volendam, Purmerend and the surrounding area) will be frequently changed. Check the signs at the bus stops for the latest information.

Until 16 July, the western section of the bus station will function as normal for catching buses and as the terminus. After 16 July, work will start on the western section of the roof. Passengers will then be able to catch buses to the east of the station and the bus stop on the Prins Hendrikkade will act as a temporary terminus.

More information

Check the roadworks pages for more information or call the Antwoord service on 14020. Information is also available in German and French.