Klijn: 'This project is complex: all disciplines are involved, exactly what BUKO Infrasupport is strong in'

Traffic plan and deployment of temporary traffic control installation by BUKO Infrasupport behind successful traffic circle construction in Beverwijk

Traffic measures specialist BUKO Infrasupport is supervising a major project from the North-West region, namely the change from an intersection to a traffic circle in Beverwijk. To maintain traffic circulation during this work, BUKO Infrasupport has made a detailed design of traffic measures in consultation with client KWS. This is now being rolled out. The project will be delivered in July.

At Westerhoutplein in Beverwijk an intersection is making way for a traffic circle, for a better and safer flow of cyclists, who will get their own bike lane. Construction began on April 19. 

Late last year, BUKO Infrasupport already designed the traffic measures plan in accordance with the CROW for this project at the request of the Municipality of Beverwijk. This plan was added to the specifications that were put on the market. KWS accepted this work and subsequently BUKO was commissioned by contractor KWS to carry out the plan.

Dennis Boes project manager of client KWS: "The original traffic measures plan was fragmented into small working areas. That would be difficult for us to work in and would not improve quality. We aim for large work areas in which we can do the work well. With the client's agreement, we worked with BUKO Infrasupport to modify the phasing plan." BUKO was then commissioned by contractor KWS to bring the traffic control plan to fruition. "We often work with BUKO Infrasupport, always to our satisfaction: they respond quickly and think along with us. With this project, we have coordinated all matters well at the front end and the cooperation during implementation is also once again running smoothly."

Maintaining traffic flow

Eric Klijn is Commercial Team Leader at BUKO Infrasupport. He was involved in the design phase for the tender with KWS. "The starting point was to maintain traffic flow, since there is a hospital nearby and it is a busy thoroughfare towards the beach that is crowded during nice weather. BUKO Infrasupport is realizing this throughput by means of a new VRI (temporary traffic control installation), which ensures that there is now a traffic flow that phases traffic on both sides. The VRI operates on a battery pack with solar panels. It is NEN-certified with a view to road use by emergency and emergency services and is barely distinguishable from a permanent traffic light, both in appearance and functionality. This traffic light can also take smart measurements. For example, a KAR system (green light for emergency services) can be installed in it."

To handle traffic, BUKO Infrasupport cleared one lane of traffic. The work was divided into four phases. Boes: "During phase 1, the bicycle path was constructed on the south side. This bicycle path is so wide that during phase 2 (in the month of May), car traffic will be guided over that bicycle path. This will allow us to make the entire traffic circle. Cyclists will be led across the parking lot. During phase 3 (June), only bicycle traffic is temporarily diverted differently, namely over the asphalt interlayer of the new traffic circle. Phase 4 (July) is a full weekend closure, to turn the overlay of the traffic circle."

Equipment deployment

BUKO Infrasupport deployed concrete and plastic barriers, fencing and guided beacons, and applied temporary lines to guide traffic participants safely along the works. In addition, an advisory route has been placed in the area to disperse traffic. KWS has traffic controllers on the work site. The Municipality of Beverwijk has extensively communicated the work and detour in the newspaper and on the municipal website.

Complexity: BUKO's specialty

"This project is complex: all disciplines are involved, exactly what BUKO Infrasupport is strong in," Klijn said. "Our job is to keep KWS and everyone involved in the project working safely, but also to keep road users safe and inconvenienced as little as possible and to guarantee the highest possible quality of the final product - the traffic circle. Moreover, BUKO is originally a Beverwijk company. It is a nice calling card that we are working here."