It looks like the Gerrit Krol Bridge in Groningen will get ramps before Christmas. If that happens, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to cross the Van Starkenborgh Canal more easily and they will no longer have to use stairs.
Minister Mark Harbers (VVD, Infrastructure and Water Management) has approved the construction of the ramps. He also gave permission for an investigation into an alternative route during the construction of the new bridge. The Gerrit Krol bridge was hit in 2021 and must be replaced.
On the Korrewegwijk side, the ramp will be an extension of the bridge. The intention is that the ramp on the other side will be parallel to the canal. Both consist of floor slabs that rest on a scaffolding construction. Every day, 16,000 to 20,000 cyclists and pedestrians cross the Gerrit Krol Bridge.
‘Minister raises expectations’
Chris van Malkenhorst, chairman of the Gerrit Krolbrug Committee Platform, thinks the arrival of the ramps is a good thing. “When the new bridge is built and the ramps disappear, a temporary connection must be made from one bank to the other. The minister is investigating this and that naturally raises expectations.”
‘We don’t want to be fobbed off’
Van Malkenhorst assumes that this research is the prelude to an alternative connection for cyclists and pedestrians. “That could be an emergency bridge. Another option is to use the current bus lane (Oosterhamrik Bridge). “In any case, it should not stop with an investigation. We don’t want to be fobbed off, but have hard certainties.” According to the Platform Gerrit Krolbrug Committee, the House of Representatives should call on the minister to make money available for the temporary provision.
Finally speed up
Alderman Philip Broeksma (GroenLinks) is pleased that progress is finally being made. As far as he is concerned, some haste is called for. He says about the investigation into the temporary connection: “The minister realizes that during the construction of the definitive bridge there must be a good connection between the two banks. We strongly urged this together with local residents from the start.”
Research must reveal the most suitable location for the temporary connection. “The minister understands that every solution costs money. He is prepared to pay for this.” At the beginning of this month, Harbers looked at the situation with his own eyes. He indicated that temporary ramps are needed to make the bridge cycleable again. At that time, the minister was still a little cautious about the desired temporary connection during the construction of the new bridge.