Her Majesty Queen Máxima will visit the infrastructure sector in Amstelveen, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, and Hilversum on the morning of September 2. The visit focuses on applying circularity. The sector aims to be climate-neutral by 2030 and to work fully circularly, reusing as many materials as possible in the construction, replacement, maintenance, and renovation of infrastructure.
The visit begins in Amstelveen at the InZicht Information Center for the project regarding the widening of the A9 motorway between the Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht junctions, part of the Schiphol-Amsterdam-Almere program. Queen Máxima will speak with representatives from Rijkswaterstaat, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and market parties from the construction and infrastructure sector. They will explain their circular ambitions and discuss how they collaborate on a circular construction economy and the opportunities and challenges of this transition.
Afterwards, Queen Máxima will visit the bridge over the Bullewijk in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. The bridge is being completely renewed and is part of the work on the widening of the A9 motorway. The reuse of concrete is central to the renovation of the bridge. The concrete beams that formed the bridge deck have been removed and are being reused in other road construction projects in the country. The reuse of these beams reduces CO₂ emissions and saves materials. Recycled concrete from components of demolished bridges and viaducts from the A9 has been used for the beams of the new viaduct.
In Hilversum, Queen Máxima will be briefed about the Asphalt Recycling Train (ART) and shown how this machine is used. The ART renews old asphalt on the same site into new road surface. This method of road maintenance is almost entirely circular as all material is reused. Additionally, no trucks need to transport old and new materials back and forth. The ART is an example of collaboration throughout the entire chain and can be utilized by all clients and market parties. The work visit in Hilversum will conclude with a discussion about the projects that were visited, sustainable infrastructure, and achieving the goal of working entirely circularly.
Developments in climate, energy, and mobility significantly influence work within the infrastructure sector. Space is becoming scarcer, and a large part of the bridges, locks, and tunnels is nearing the end of their lifespan. These developments call for new, sustainable solutions. Together with the market and other governments, Rijkswaterstaat is developing knowledge, tools, and conditions for circular working. In the procurement of projects, CO₂ emissions, the method of material extraction, and the reuse of materials are taken into account. There is also data exchange regarding materials that become available during demolition and renovation, materials are reused as much as possible, and fossil resource use is being reduced.
RVD, nr. 217
