Encouraging active mobility with railway underpasses in Zwolle

In the coming years, the municipality of Zwolle will work on the Spoorzone together with local residents, entrepreneurs, developers and other stakeholders. The Spoorzone will become a prominent place to live, work, learn, study and do business. It is located centrally between the historic city centre and the natural environment of the IJssel, with Zwolle station forming a connection. Public transport makes the area easily accessible and connects the Randstad to the north and east of the country. The underpass project has been awarded to Witteveen+Bos on the basis of price and quality within the framework agreement with the municipality, recognising the team’s enthusiasm and our approach.

In the coming years, the area will be expanded with about 3,500 new homes, local manufacturing, offices and facilities. The current cycling infrastructure must therefore be adapted. By investigating and designing a modification to the existing underpass (Koggetunnel) and the construction of an additional underpass (Veerallee), we are contributing to improving active mobility and reducing the barrier that the railway forms for cyclists.

Together with the client, ProRail and the stakeholders involved, we are translating the wishes and requirements into a comprehensive plan for these railway underpasses. Central to this is ensuring that the ambitions to open up the various areas are realised. Our work includes conducting all kinds of investigations and developing comprehensive designs of both underpasses. This must take into account the dynamic environment in which the developments of the Zwolle Spoorzone take place in parallel with our design. The retrieved requirements and design choices will be delivered as specifications for the Tunnelalliantie in the summer of 2024.