The critical comments of residents of the Bargermeer-Meerveld district in Emmen have been listened to. The municipality plans to adapt two intersections in Dordsestraat. Residents disagreed with a number of measures. These will now be canceled or will be adjusted on certain points.
The municipality of Emmen announced in April that it would change the intersections in Dordsestraat at Noordbargerstraat and Emmalaan into priority squares without traffic lights. The interventions are intended to ensure better traffic flow.
This concerns the intersection of Wilhelminastraat with Ermerweg and Bargermeerweg in the Bargermeer district. The second intersection is that of the Emmalaan with the Eerste Bokslootweg at the Meerveld. Currently, the first point in particular is causing a lot of congestion.
Through traffic on the Dordsestraat must regularly wait for turning traffic at the exit at Bargermeer. The infamous bicycle crossing at the same intersection is extra dangerous. Students make full use of this, which leads to dangerous situations.
The municipality therefore planned to reduce Dordsestraat from four to two lanes and to extend the central reservation. Cycling traffic was therefore deprived of the opportunity to cross at that point. An additional problem was that cars from the Bargermeer district could no longer turn towards the center. Instead, they would have to take a detour, much against the wishes of local residents.
The residents of Meerveld are concerned about the disappearance of the southern parallel road in their district. This is located at the intersection with Emmalaan. There were fears of blockages and congestion.
The municipality has therefore gone back to the drawing board and is helping the district on both points. Firstly, the central reservation at the intersection remains untouched, but the bicycle crossing will be closed. At Meerveld, the southern parallel road remains intact.
The intention is to start work this spring. The municipality is combining the road works with replacing the now outdated sewerage system.
In the new situation, sewage and rainwater are drained separately. Flooding during heavy showers must be prevented. Noordbargerstraat will also be paved and there will be extra greenery in the area around the intersection.
The work should be completed by the end of the year.