1. What will happen starting August 11 around the Kruisplein?

This busy intersection will be almost completely closed to cars starting August 11. This concerns the section between the Mauritsweg and the West-Kruiskade. The closure is permanent. The Kruisplein will remain open for pedestrians, cyclists, and trams.

In the coming years, drivers will not be able to reach the West-Kruiskade from the Weena via the Kruisplein. They can reach it via the Henegouwerlaan. You can read more about this under the question Why is there a turnaround on the West-Kruiskade?

2. What does this mean concretely for drivers? 

Drivers will no longer be able to turn left onto the West-Kruiskade from the Mauritsweg. They will also not be able to drive from the Schouwburgplein along the Doelen to the West-Kruiskade.

3. Why is the Kruisplein being closed to cars?

This makes the Kruisplein safer. It is one of the most dangerous intersections in the city. Cars, cyclists, pedestrians, and trams are all mixed together. This often leads to accidents. In the past 3 years, 30 accidents involving a car have been reported. 

The closure of the Kruisplein should also provide more peace in the surrounding streets. There are many so-called show riders driving around. These are people who drive conspicuously in the streets to be seen. They often play loud music and their cars make a lot of noise. 

4. Why is there a turnaround on the West-Kruiskade? 

Construction is set to begin in the coming years on the residential tower The Modernist at the Weena. Due to the construction work, cars will temporarily not be able to reach the West-Kruiskade from the Weena via the Kruisplein. This street will thus be less accessible. A solution has been sought for this. The municipality believes it is important that homes and shops on the West-Kruiskade remain accessible. For example, for visitors and for the supply of shops and catering.

That is why a so-called turnaround will be created at the beginning of the West-Kruiskade. Drivers will then be able to reach the West-Kruiskade via the Henegouwerlaan. Through the turnaround on the West-Kruiskade, they can then drive from one side of the street to the other. The turnaround runs over the tram tracks that run in the middle of the West-Kruiskade. 

Once the construction of the residential tower The Modernist is completed, the turnaround will also be removed. Because then cars can again drive from the Weena via the Kruisplein to the West-Kruiskade. This will not be possible in the coming years due to the construction site.

5. Have residents and entrepreneurs discussed the turnaround? 

The municipality has invited residents and entrepreneurs from the West-Kruiskade and surrounding area in recent weeks. They could discuss the accessibility of the West-Kruiskade during the construction of the residential tower The Modernist. There were 3 solutions proposed to improve the accessibility of the West-Kruiskade. The turnaround was one of the solutions. Residents were clearly in favor of the turnaround during the discussions. Most entrepreneurs chose other solutions, such as a route via the Diergaardesingel or the Batavierenstraat. The alderman ultimately chose the turnaround. 

The turnaround is not a simple solution. For example, various tram tracks run over the loop. These must be relocated. For this, the municipality is working closely with RET. Not an easy solution but certainly the safest. And residents have the least inconvenience from this solution. 

6. Can entrepreneurs on the West-Kruiskade who have lost revenue receive compensation? 

Yes, entrepreneurs can apply for compensation through the municipality. The alderman has created an expedited scheme for this. You can find it at Apply for compensation for disadvantages. 

For more information about the closure of the Kruisplein, visit
My Rotterdam - Traffic Measure 2 Squares. Link opens an external page. You will also find information on how the Kruisplein will look in the future.