The demolition of the A9 viaduct in Amstelveen is proceeding faster than expected. That is what Lammert Postma of Rijkswaterstaat says in front of NH’s camera. Actually, the demolition would take until 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon, and the clean-up until 5 a.m. Monday morning. “But if it continues to go the way it is now, I think we will be done a bit sooner.”
When NH takes a look at the construction site, the largest demolition crane in the Netherlands – accompanied by a few smaller brothers – is busy ripping the viaduct to pieces. “He bites pieces off,” says Postma.
Rijkswaterstaat thinks it is still too early to promise that the closed Keizer Karelweg can also be released earlier. “We don’t think so yet, but if so, it will be decided in the course of the weekend.”
High demand for earplugs
As expected, the demolition is accompanied by a lot of noise. To limit the nuisance, Rijkswaterstaat has local residents opportunities for escape. People who live closest to the viaduct can even choose a hotel for a few days at the expense of the municipality. A group of local residents in a somewhat larger radius around the work were eligible for earplugs.
“A lot of use has been made of that, especially those custom earplugs,” says Postma. “More than a hundred for sure.” And this becomes apparent when NH rings the doorbell of some nearby flats. Most residents have fled the noise or have closed themselves off from the outside world with earplugs or headphones.
“Then it’s not too bad,” says a resident who is just working from home today. Other residents who are at home also think it’s doable. “But you do feel the vibrations throughout the house,” says someone. There are also complaints about dust released during demolition, but Rijkswaterstaat has a solution for that too: the residents’ windows are cleaned regularly.
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