BUILDINGS ON TOP OF NEW AMSTERDAM METRO SINKING AGAIN

Only a day after the construction works of the new Amsterdam metro line some buildings along the Vijzelgracht sunk again. The inhabitants were evacuated from their homes in a rush for the second time. A specialised engineer compared the construction of the new metro line in the muddy Amsterdam soil with organising a trip to the moon.

Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen has for the first time expressed doubts about Amsterdam's North-South Line, a new metro line scheduled for completion in 2015. "I realize the credibility of the project is suffering. It is a cause for concern."

In June work on the underground tunnel was suspended for three months after water seeped through the enormous concrete slabs, causing four houses to subside. The municipal authorities said that "A responsible plan for renovation was undertaken and the work was carried out with optimal precision."

On Monday the repairs were completed and work on the tunnel was resumed. On Wednesday evening residents of four 17th-century buildings which adjoin the construction site heard "remarkable noises". "A short time later pieces of grit began to fall, followed by plaster from the walls and pieces of ceiling." The 20 residents have been evacuated and may not be able to return to their homes for years to come. Three other houses have also been damaged.

Architect Wolbert Vroom, who owns three of the buildings, told de Volkskrant that there were "phenomenal" cracks in the walls, several centimeters wide and up to five meters in length. He says the buildings' foundations have sunk up to 24 centimeters.

Although the completion date of the North-South Line has been moved forward quite few times, it is expected that the drilling of the tunnels will start before the end of this year. read more (radionetherlands.nl)

NEW AMSTERDAM METRO ENGINEERING CHALLENGE read more

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September 29, 2008