The N206 ir. G. Tjalmaweg connects the city of Leiden, birthplace of the Dutch 17th century painter Rembrandt, with the beaches of Katwijk aan Zee. The road has been designed as a green connection carefully integrated into the surrounding landscape and pays tribute to the region’s history as one of the boundaries of the Roman Empire, while showcasing a sustainable vision for the future. The design of the new road emphasizes circularity of materials, seamless integration into the landscape, and offers a green experience for road users and cyclists. The Tjalmaweg is part of the RijnlandRoute, a project aimed at improving accessibility and livability in the Holland Rijnland region, particularly around Leiden.

Sustainable and Green

The Tjalmaweg embraces sustainability through the minimization of concrete, the use of recycled materials and wooden slatted walls in the sunken road that are planted with ivy, clematis, wild honeysuckle and Virginia creeper. The area adjacent to the road had been transformed into a green park with playground equipment and a high-speed bicycle lane. Significant efforts have been made to minimize concrete usage, promote sustainable timber practices, and facilitate material reuse. Biocomposite, with grass fibers, is used for the decking and street furniture under the bridges across the old river Rhine (Torenvliet Bridge).

Walking and Cycling

The new green park promotes walking and cycling, offering a green link between the inner city of Leiden and the beaches of Katwijk aan Zee. The green park provides not just a safe and fast cycle route but a carefully designed natural environment for recreation, interaction and biodiversity. The parkland features a diverse mix of flowers, with furniture and insect hotels made out of the trees that had to be cut, supporting reuse of materials and a sustainable ecosystem. The combination of the road itself and the adjacent green zone improves both mobility and improves the quality of the living environment.

Tribute to the UNESCO heritage of the Roman Limes

The Tjalmaweg runs across a UNESCO heritage area: the northern boundary of the ancient Roman Empire, the so called ‘Limes’. As a homage to this rich past, several Roman excavations have been integrated into the project. A section of the original Roman road has been reconstructed, and the original oak piles with which the Roman road was constructed, are displayed in a bicycle tunnel. The road crossings have names that refer to the Roman legacy: Praetorium Agrippinae and De Castra.

The Tjalmaweg is testament to a forward-thinking vision, in which mobility is not a problem, but an opportunity to offer a green experience for road users and residents, to celebrate heritage, and to showcase sustainable, innovative construction methods.