Project management

The province of Zuid-Holland is responsible for the preparation, realisation, utilisation and management of the RijnGouweLijn, a light railway link between Gouda, Leiden and the coast at Noordwijk. The Dienst Beheer Infrastructuur (Infrastructure Services Management) for the province has extensive experience within the sphere of managing and maintaining roads and waterways but this experience does not currently extend to rail infrastructure. MAN consultants was, therefore, asked by the province to advise about the way in which management of the RijnGouweLijn should be organised. One of MAN consultants’ experienced advisers is currently applying himself to the specific question of how future management can be contracted and how this must be taken into account during the design phase.

Duration of project: April 2008 - present.

The existing tram line within the Schiedam council area is to be moved, extended and upgraded into TramPlus. The RET is the commissioning party for the various assignments, including laying the tram rails, and is also responsible for providing impetus to ensuring that the environment surrounding the tram tracks is of top quality. The process manager from MAN consultants is the point of contact with Schiedam council for the RET and ensures feedback and guidance is provided to the project team. Alongside this, the process manager is responsible for harmonisation between the assignments for TramPlus and other projects in the immediate vicinity of the tram tracks.

Duration of project: September 2007 – present.

Accessibility to The Hague and Scheveningen, in particular, is threatening to get worse as a result of increasing traffic volumes. As a result of its location by the sea, The Hague is not able to direct traffic around the outskirts of the city. Traffic in the region had to drive through the city, meaning that residential areas were burdened with excess traffic. A large part of this problem has now been solved by the construction of the Hubertustunnel. The tunnel is about 1600 metres long and runs from the site of the former Alexanderkazerne to the Hubertusviaduct. The Hubertustunnel links into the N14 and offers a rapid connection to the A4. On behalf of The Council of The Hague’s Dienst Stadsbeheer (City Management Service), MAN consultants has been providing leadership to the Hubertustunnel Project Organisation for the past few years.

Duration of project: 2004 – present.

The N201 is the cause of quality of life, security and accessibility problems in the region of Aalsmeer, Uithoorn, Amstelveen and Haarlemmermeer. This is the result of noise pollution, odour nuisance, the build up of traffic and traffic hazards. In 2005, the province of Noord-Holland, therefore, started renewing and diverting the existing road between Hoofddorp and Mijdrecht (Masterplan N201+). This is one of the ways that the province is strengthening the region's economy, quality of life and security. The final renovated section will be delivered in 2011. MAN consultants provided one of its senior project managers as project director for the realisation (within the preconditions of time, money and quality) of the Masterplan N201+.

Duration of project: 2005 - present.

Two tunnels are being made in the southern part of the Noord/Zuidlijn in Amsterdam. The point of departure for the tunnel boring machines is located at one of the busiest place in Amsterdam: The Prins Hendrikkade and Damrak crossroads. Within the Noord/Zuidlijn project agency, MAN consultants provided support with finding solutions for problems at the work site, at the start shaft, and coordinating the construction of this. The added value within the contract team has been evident in terms of short term coordination, the addition of direction when executing the tasks outside the start shaft and a pragmatic contribution to work preparation.

Duration of project: April 2008 - present.

To the west of Gouda, the new residential area Westergouwe is being developed on behalf of Gouda council, Volker Wessels Vastgoed and Heijmans Vastgoed Realisatie (together with Projectbureau Westergouwe). One of the senior project managers, with the role of Civil Project Manager for the project agency, is working on behalf of MAN consultants. The assignment particularly involves ensuring public spaces are well prepared and realised effectively, including principal (and probably secondary) infrastructure and ground improvement.

Duration of project: October 2008 - present.

For several years, the council of Zwijndrecht and Dordrecht have been working, under the direction of the Drechtsteden Region, on the development of the Maasterras, a 200 hectare city centre area located on both sides of the Oude Maas and enclosed by the A16 and the Rotterdam-Antwerp railway line. Over a period of about 25 years, this area will be transformed into a top location for living and working within the Drechtsteden and will attract companies and residents from outside the area. Collaborative agreements, development strategies, programme substantiation, ground use, communication, structural vision and zoning schemes are created at an integral level under the direction of one of the project managers from MAN consultants. Within these processes, account must be taken of various interests, capacity and support from both public and private parties. In terms of planning, environmental burdens (fine particles, noise pollution, ground contamination) and external safety (transport of hazardous substances by rail) form important parameters with the development and set up of the area.

Duration of project: January 2007 - present.

Barendrecht council’s ground works department asked MAN consultants to help realise a city centre redevelopment by creating a competition involving the former swimming pool location. It involved developing and realising 110 dwellings (social rental and purchase, 55+ homes) beside the railway station. MAN consultants did not only take care of the selection and tendering process on the basis of European regulations but will also represent the council, during the development and realisation process, in the project organisation, when implementing the necessary zoning plan modifications and when it comes to communicating and providing information for those living in the surrounding areas. A great deal of attention will also be paid to themes such as social safety in the areas near the station, increased traffic and resistance to a relatively large programme within a small area as well as the target group for whom the area is  being realised.

Duration of project: July 2007 - present.