The preferred variant for the approach of the N862 is known. The road between Emmen and Klazienaveen is partly doubled, the traffic lights at Nieuw-Dordrecht make way for an uneven intersection and the roundabouts are doubled. The plan also pays attention to cyclists.
“We devised this approach together with residents, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders who work and live on the N862”, says alderman René van der Weide. At the end of October, the municipality of Emmen will visit the villages with a ‘road show’ to present the plan. “If we are still so sure of our case after the village rounds, we will draw up the plan in November and, as far as we are concerned, the first shovel can be put in the ground in 2024.”
From September last year, the municipality has been in consultation with a focus group about which approach would be best for the N862. The focus group consists of entrepreneurs, a business association, the Angelslo neighborhood association and the village associations of Nieuw-Dordrecht, Oranjedorp, Klazienaveen, and Barger-Oosterveld.
After research by the municipality into the traffic flow and the accessibility of the surrounding villages and the business park, four variants were put on the table. The focus group was also allowed to come up with a variant.
A list of conditions has been drawn up to determine which approach is most appropriate. This concerns, among other things, traffic flow, accessibility, quality of life, greenery along the roads, noise pollution and costs.
In the end, a variant emerged unanimously as the best approach for the N862. This is a variant in which the road is partially doubled, with larger roundabouts with bypasses and a grade-separated connection at Nieuw-Dordrecht.
“In this way, the surrounding villages maintain a good connection to the N862 and Emmen becomes more attractive as a business location because the industry and business parks are more easily accessible,” explains project leader Herrald van der Helm.