N206 ir. G Tjalmaweg nominated for AR Public Awards!

Reinald Top (architect and partner at ZJA) says, “We are very proud of the nomination of the N206 ir. G Tjalmaweg for the AR Public Awards. It’s an example of a forward-looking and integrated approach to infrastructure. ZJA and BoschSlabbers designed a new green connection, where driving becomes a green experience and in addition you can enjoy spending time in the parking zones next to the road and in the public space below the Torenvliet Bridge. As a result, in this extraordinary project, improving the road network and public space, connecting and greening, go hand in hand.”

Green motorway with a Roman past

Where once the Roman Limes ran, the N206 ir. G. Tjalmaweg has been delighting drivers since 2023. The rebuilt motorway of the province Zuid-Holland is part of the RijnlandRoute project and it connects Leiden with Katwijk. The project not only provides improved traffic connections, it enhances the quality of life in the area.

Connection, greening, and sustainability

Connection, greening and sustainability are central to the design. The motorway has been widened and moved below ground level, as well as being carefully integrated into the surrounding landscape. Its sunken position connects the road visually with the worlds on either side, which have been transformed into a green park with playgrounds and a bicycle highway.

And by integrating excavations and a reconstructed section of the Roman road into the project, a visible link has been made with the UNESCO world heritage. In addition, two new viaducts have been built, and a pleasant place to relax has been created underneath the Torenvliet Bridge.

Landscape architecture

Stijn Koole (landscape architect and partner at BoschSlabbers) says, “A special feature of the integration of the N206 is that maximum effort has been targeted at the spatial quality of both the landscape and the structural elements. Furthermore, the road has been subordinated to the landscape. While the road reduces traffic pressure and improves the accessibility of the region, it does so with respect for the past. The green strips of parkland, the pleasant places to linger under the Torenvliet Bridge and the visible remains of the Limes provide both greater liveability and a homage to the Roman heritage.”

Sustainable and green motorway

For the entire project, circular materials have been chosen wherever possible and the use of concrete minimized. On the slatted walls of the sunken motorway, around 38,000 climbing plants provide continual greenery, thereby boosting biodiversity. Once they are mature, driving along this exceptional motorway will be a green experience in itself.

About the AR Public Awards

The AR Public Awards are prizes for public space, initiated by the renowned magazine The Architectural Review. The jury members for this year have put together a shortlist of projects that exhibit exceptional architectural and landscape design at their sites, while also entering into a broader interaction with the environment. The winners will be announced next month.