Meeting full of questions about two options for a new access road to the center of Hoorn

The plan to make the center more accessible has been discussed for years. Especially the waiting times due to long-term closures of barriers for passing trains regularly cause congestion.

And now that the city center is being overhauled for the Poort van Hoorn new-build project, and more homes are being added, it has to happen. Eighteen options have been reduced to two more variants that meet the basic requirements.

Bicycle tunnel and tunnel for motor vehicles

In both cases there will be a bicycle tunnel under the intersection of Provincialeweg and Keern. The Keern, currently still the gateway to the city center, will then only be available for local traffic and cyclists.

But the biggest differences are in the route for motorized traffic. In one variant, the new route goes via a new exit from the Provincialeweg through the Pelmolenpad under the railway and connects to the Weel (see the impressions below). You can opt for an open or a semi-closed tunnel trough. It should be noted that the latter option is considerably more expensive.

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In the other variant, the road makes a bend after the tunnel under the railway, after which it connects to the Keern (see the impression below). It soon became clear from the audience that this option could count on the most support. And the urban planner of the municipality also indicated that this variant has the fewest objections.

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At the meeting there were many questions about, among other things, the maximum speed, but also about the nuisance. For example, one resident feared enormous problems for local residents with the variant that connects to the Weel. “It is too busy due to the increasing traffic there, but also noise nuisance.” A comment that could count on applause.

‘Children cannot safely go to other neighbourhoods’

And if you look at the pros and cons, you will see that the variant from the above variant comes out best. For example, the other option conflicts with agreements made with developers Intermaris and BPD, to also create a low-traffic neighborhood with lots of greenery in the Pelmolenpad. The plan reads about this variant: “Children from the neighborhood cannot safely visit their friends in the other part of the neighborhood. In addition, in the open variant, the park is occupied by a busy motorway with noise barriers on both sides. completely car-free, green character of the district.”

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Exact costs unclear, ready in 2028?

Other questions were about finances. Previously, 40 million euros had already been made available by the government. But the municipality did not want to comment on the amounts (yet), because the project still has to be put out to tender and Hoorn does not want to make potential builders any wiser. However, the project leader stated that both variants would have to work out at roughly the same cost. This will be further elaborated later.

As far as planning is concerned, there was a blow to the arm. “But the first pile could be feasible in 2026. To start with the tunnel under the railway, it should be finished in 2028. But then I’m optimistic, so don’t hold me to it,” said the project leader.

Input from residents is requested

Interested people can via mail to give their opinion to the municipality until 28 July. The college can then include this in its proposal. The city council must finally make the decision in October.