| Abstract: | A beautiful piece of countryside, located in the western part of The Netherlands, is surrounded by the dense urban areas of four cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Den Haag (The Hague). Because of its location and its rural beauty, this central park within the urban agglomeration of Western Holland is referred to as Holland's “Groene Hart” (Green Heart). About 600.000 people live in this area. Most of the land is countryside mainly used for agricultural purposes, such as dairy farms and marketgardening. The Green Heart is one of last remaining undisturbed natural landscapes in Western Holland. Fragmentation of this region will increase urban development and decrease the value of the scenic countryside. Considering these factors, the Dutch Government decided in April 1998 that the straightest possible route between Amsterdam and Rotterdam would be a shield driven tunnel under the Greene Heart to minimise nuisance and disturbance during the construction, as well as during future operation. This paper deals with the complex process of decision making, and reviews design aspects, research, construction, and project organisation, concluding with finance, public private partnership, and the planning of the shield-driven Green Heart Tunnel. |
