Large-scale redesign demands more than a design
The Ollandseweg in Sint-Oedenrode will undergo a major overhaul. The European tender process has now commenced. On behalf of the municipality of Meijerijstad, Iv has drawn up the entire design for the new layout, organised the public participation evenings and developed the technical preparation. Iv’s involvement, up to and including the tendering process, covers the entire spectrum from A to Z, an increasingly common approach.
The Ollandseweg is a road stretching approximately 3.5 kilometres between the villages of Olland and Sint-Oedenrode in the municipality of Meijerijstad. The original layout of the road consists of a bicycle lane and a road for motorists. The bicycle lane, in particular, has been in poor condition for years. It is so bad that cyclists increasingly choose to cycle on the road, creating dangerous situations. In addition, the road no longer meets current traffic safety requirements. For these reasons, the municipality decided to redesign the layout of the Ollandseweg.
Iv has been closely involved in this redesign since the plans were drawn up about a year and a half ago. A significant part – 1.5 kilometres – of the entire route lies within the built-up area of Sint-Oedenrode. There are many homes and businesses along Ollandseweg, both within and outside the built-up area, so a thorough, comprehensive and clear public participation process is essential. The final design of the new layout was developed together with local residents and stakeholders, a necessary part of the participation process.
These public participation and information evenings, along with the expertise of Iv and the municipality of Meijerijstad, led to the complete reconstruction of the Ollandseweg. On both sides of the road, both inside and outside the built-up area, the cycle path will be constructed with interconnected concrete slabs to increase cycling comfort. In the built-up area, the road will be paved with noise-reducing paving to reduce noise pollution, and outside the built-up area, a new asphalt road surface will be applied.
New connections are being created along the cycle lanes towards the residential streets, and measures have been taken at three crossings to improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and other traffic. The road has been designed to make it appear narrower than it is, which usually results in slower driving.
The design has considered the changing climate as much as possible. Increased rainfall on ageing infrastructure can lead to poor drainage, causing dangerous traffic situations. Drainage along the entire route will be improved, and parking areas along the parallel roads near Koninginnelaan and Laan ten Rode will be redesigned. These will be made permeable so that rainwater can be collected effectively.
A reconstruction like the one on the Ollandseweg will always impact the residents and the flora and fauna of the area. At least 480 oak trees line the local road. One of the most important principles in the design is to preserve these trees as much as possible. Despite the road being rerouted or modified in places, the vast majority of the trees will remain.
New trees will be planted to replace those that have been removed. The trees were mapped using an extensive 3D scan, and a Tree Effect Analysis was conducted to correctly map the flora’s condition. The contractor has to take the area’s flora and fauna into account when carrying out the work. For this, Iv has developed a work protocol to ensure that birds and bats, among other species, are not disrupted.
In addition to the design, the development of a work protocol, and the organisation of residents’ evenings, Iv has drawn up a diversion and phasing plan. Given that the work will take about two years to complete, it will be carried out in phases, as detailed in the phasing plan. One of the reasons for this is to limit the inconvenience caused by the work.
Now that the implementation design is complete, parties can register for this project. The winning plan will be chosen based on price, design, and the wishes expressed by local residents and stakeholders during the participation process, as well as in relation to limiting nitrogen emissions.
The redesign of the Ollandseweg is a project in which Iv is responsible from start to finish (the start of construction) for the design and quality, communication with stakeholders, budget control and planning.
Improving the accessibility, flow and traffic safety of municipal infrastructure – in combination with climate-proofing – is increasingly high on the political agenda. Many municipalities have more diverse challenges and are increasingly adopting an integral approach. Iv provides services in spatial planning and mobility, measurement and monitoring, risk management, asset management, contract management, and management and supervision.
Wouter, managing director Infra and also COO of Iv, would be delighted to discuss this with you! Get in touch via +31 88 943 3200 or send a message.
