Work on the A9 motorway near Amstelveen is currently causing considerable noise nuisance and vibrations, warns Rijkswaterstaat. Yet local residents have noticed little of this so far, as it turns out when reporter Celine Sulsters makes a tour of the neighborhood.
Contractor Veenix has been working on ‘Operation Middeneiland’ since 20 February, with preparations being made to construct the second part of the so-called ‘bypass’. These are temporary lanes on the south side of the A9 that enable the construction of the sunken location. “Some activities involve considerable noise nuisance during the day,” writes Rijkswaterstaat on its website.
“In my garden there is a vibration meter and sound meter, which are on all day”
Benjamin Blankennagel lives on the corner of Middeldorpstraat on the south side of the highway. From his window he can see the vantage point that Rijkswaterstaat has set up. So far he thinks the inconvenience of the work is fine. “You notice that it is there, but I also understand that the work has to be done.”
The Amstelvener has the feeling that Rijkswaterstaat keeps a close eye on everything. “In my garden there is a vibration meter and sound meter, which are on all day,” he says. Benjamin has noticed some small cracks in the walls of his rented house lately. He reported this to the housing association.
‘No face’
The Amstelvener is becoming increasingly disturbed by the soundproof containers that have been placed close to his home. He is happy that they do a good job of blocking the sound, but thinks it is ‘not a sight.’ “That’s why my curtains are closed now,” he explains. Rijkswaterstaat has tried to make the noise barrier more attractive in some places. Local residents were allowed to participate in a large work of art.
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Amstelveners make container art – NH News
Benjamin’s neighbors who are home on Wednesday afternoon also have few complaints. “I expected worse,” says one. He hears the cars racing on the A9 a bit louder lately. “It’s kind of a sound scale, because it’s gotten much wider.” But can live with that too.
‘Smelly Fumes’
Yet there are also people who do get a headache from the droning next to their house. As Sulsters crosses the bridge to the north side of the A9 and near some houses in the Mr. FA van Hallweg rings the doorbell, she encounters a resident who is fed up with the noise. Originally from the UK, Tony Power and his family have just returned from a few days’ holiday. “That suited us very well,” he says, referring to the noise nuisance.
The man has noticed for a week and a half that the noise and vibrations have increased considerably. “But I think the worst is the smelly fumes we smell here,” he says with a dirty face. A woman who lives a little further away does not recognize the complaints. And a resident who lives around the corner next to primary school Piet Hein also has nothing to complain about. “But it’s drowned out anyway by the sound of children playing,” she laughs.
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Everyone actually agrees on one thing: Rijkswaterstaat’s communication is very clear. Residents living near the A9 regularly receive letters telling them what to expect. “Also in English”, says Tony gratefully. For him, this clear communication creates understanding and more local residents agree.
Rijkswaterstaat also regularly organizes information evenings and open days. You can on March 8 cycle around along the construction work and get more information about what exactly is happening. On March 27, all traffic must drive over the bypass.