By 2023, the central train station in the city of Groningen will be getting a major makeover. Here is a preview of the current design plans, which were published on Monday by the municipality.
Translation by Traci White
Representatives for Strukton, the construction and rail company which has been chosen to carry out the construction, told RTV Noord that the design for the station seeks to strike a balance between existing historic architecture and more modern accessibility.
The biggest changes will be a larger bus station which will be relocated to the back of the station, more and longer rail platforms, 8,000 bike parking places, a cycling tunnel and a wide pedestrian tunnel to connect the northern and southern sides of the city.
RTV Noord also reports that potential plans to build a car parking garage under the station are not a part of the final plans: earlier in May, it was made known that building 300 parking spots would have cost 90,000 euros per spot. The plans, which were designed by architect Koen van Velsen, will take advantage of space beneath the station.
Construction works are set to begin in 2020 and are expected to be completed by 2023. According to the Groningen Spoorzone website, the official permit for the works should be granted by October of 2019. The area to the south of the station will also undergo changes: the depot area for trains will be replaced with a business and residential zone.
Photo source: Screenshot from Pro Rail video with designs by Koen van Velsen
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