Renovation Piet Hein Tunnel: Strict planning and unique alliance collaboration

Since 2005, the IJtram has also been running through it via a separate tunnel tube. The renovation is part of the Aanpak Wegtunnels Amsterdam (AWA) program. This program ensures that the tunnels in Amsterdam will soon be ready for the future: safe to use, easy to operate and easy to maintain. An interview with project managers Arnoud op den Kelder (Municipality of Amsterdam) and Koen Beukers (Heijmans Infra/Siemens Mobility). Together they form the MT of the alliance Piet Hein Tunnel, which is responsible for further preparation and realization.

Tolerance permit since start of new tunnel legislation

On May 1, 2019, new tunnel legislation (WARVW) went into effect for existing tunnels. Because the tunnel did not comply with this legislation at that time, a tolerance decision was requested. A number of safety measures, including a truck ban in the tunnel, ensured that the tunnel could remain open. "The tolerance construction expires on July 1, 2021, so the planning of the renovation is based on that. This planning gives us clear focus on content," Beukers says. "In order to properly translate the vision of the Program to Approach Road Tunnels within this project, the municipality also chose the unique cooperative form of an alliance."

Complex task requires large-scale approach

The Piet Hein tunnel will be completely closed to road traffic during the renovation. Only the IJtram will continue to run, except for a few weekends. "The fact that the IJtram also runs through the tunnel does make it -in addition to the length of the tunnel- a special project," says Op den Kelder. "To the existing installations of the traffic tubes from 1997, the installations of the streetcar tube were connected in 2005. That increases the complexity because the installations are partly intertwined. A part has to be replaced while the streetcar continues to run. In the process, in some parts we lack information about how these installations were built in the past. So during the renovation we will have to deal with surprises, but you want to minimize their impact. Thanks to the special cooperation contract form of the alliance, we can focus on the content and these kinds of aspects to the maximum."

The Heijmans Infra/Siemens Mobility combination has worked together successfully before. Beukers: "The knowledge gained from previous renovation and new construction of tunnels is being brought in here. With project manager Jeffrey van Korlaar (Heijmans) keeping the focus within the alliance on execution and Arnoud op den Kelder and colleagues with their knowledge of the City of Amsterdam, also at the administrative level, a good synergy has been created." Op den Kelder adds: "This is why a large alliance contract was chosen, with Siemens Mobility, Heijmans and the municipality focusing on those parts of the task in which they are naturally strong. For Siemens Mobility and Heijmans, that includes detailed engineering and execution. The municipality, for example, focuses on communication and transfer to the tunnel management organization."

Digital techniques 

This project uses digital techniques such as BIM, Digital Twin and VR. The 3D BIM model is the basis for the digital tunnel twin containing all new installations including the environment. This is linked to the new tunnel control software and comes together in the new control desk that will be used to operate and monitor the tunnel. "In this way, the functional behavior of the tunnel can be accurately tested after renovation and failure costs are reduced, efficiency is increased and lead times are shortened, minimizing disruption to road users." Op den Kelder: "Together, we recognized that it was worth the investment, given the enormous benefits before, during and after the renovation."

Success in a complex time

Beukers says that the AWA program's vision of safe use, simple operation and easy maintenance is concretely translated within the alliance. "The whole development from loop to lectern, is in this project. With the goal of sharing our results with the program so that they can be utilized in the other projects within the AWA program. This is only possible if you work well together as a team." He concludes, "I am proud of how we have established an optimal fusion of three organizations within this dynamic environment and unruly conditions in this corona period."