Amsterdam Line 16

InTramCities with Gordon Stewart : Closed tramway Alignments

Amsterdam, Netherlands

On 21st July 2018 a new north-south metro line (line 52) was opened and resulted in a reorganisation of the tramway network, including a major reduction in overlapping services. Most abandoned lines were retained for works use or for possible diversionary routes if necessary.

Services along the narrow Witte de Withstraat between Postjesweg (Witte de Withstraat tram stop) and Jan Evertsenstraat (with intermediate stops at van Kinsbergenstraat and Jan Evertsenstraat) were closed off, but a new link was established to the west in Hoofdweg between Postjesweg tram stop and Mercatorplein with an intermediate stop at W Schoutenstraat. Overhead was removed but tracks remain in place (as at 2023)

Tracks also losing services but retained, connected to the network : Follow the links

- Line 16 between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Olympisch Stadion (see below)
- Tracks around the Royal Palace on the north and south sides of Dam Square, in Mozes en Aaronstraat and Paleisstraat which crossed the two main tram axes leading to Central Station and was used by line 14.
- Bos en Lommerweg between Admiraal de Ruijterweg and Bos en Lommerplein : Photographed on 31st March 2007. Replaced by buses but retained as a diversionary route
- Frederik Hendrikplantsoen / Marnixplein (canal crossing)

Line 16 between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Olympisch Stadion via Albert Cuypstraat, Ruysdaelstraat, Johannes Vermeerstraat and Gabriel Metsustraat to Concertgebouwplein (shared with route 24) and onwards via De Lairessestraat, Cornelis Krusemanstraat and Amstelveensteweg to Stadionplein. The latter part had been reconstructed in 2017 having been closed on April 18th and reopened on February 19th, 2018. The photographs date from 2007.

Closure of the inner part of the route still left no part of the unserved area more than 300 metres away from a surviving tram stop and no bus route was substituted. The outer route ran closely parallel to a retained line along Willemsparkweg and Koninginenweg, some 250 metres away but the reduction of the number of tram stops on the latter increased the effective distance from an alternative boarding point. The main loss was the link between the Olympic Stadium and the Concert Hall / Rijksmuseum area.

Above : Albert Cuypstraat, view outwards

Above : Albert Cuypstraat, view towards the city centre

Above : Albert Cuypstraat, view outbound

Above : Albert Cuypstraat, view towards the city centre

Above : Albert Cuypstraat, view outbound

Above : Johannes Vermeerstraat, view outwards.

Above : Johannes Vermeerstraat, view outbound

Above : Ruysdaelstraat, view towards the city centre

Above : Ruysdaelstraat, view outwards at the later removed Ruysdaelstraat tram stop

Above : De Lairesestraat, view towards the city centre at the J.Obrechtsstraat tram stop

Above : view towards the city centre

Above : Amstelveenseweg

- Tracks around the Royal Palace on the north and south sides of Dam Square, in Mozes en Aaronstraat and Paleisstraat which crossed the two main tram axes leading to Central Station and was used by line 14.
- Bos en Lommerweg between Admiraal de Ruijterweg and Bos en Lommerplein : Photographed on 31st March 2007. Replaced by buses but retained as a diversionary route
- Frederik Hendrikplantsoen / Marnixplein (canal crossing)

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