Construction of new University Library progressing steadily

Delays and much higher costs offer lessons for University of Amsterdam The construction crane towers high above the University Quarter, poised for the final phase of construction on the University Library (UB). Although numerous problems were encountered in the previous phase, these have since been addressed: the heavily contaminated earth has been removed, the foundations restored and the underground bicycle shelter is now firmly anchored in the initially loose soil. Yet in this final phase of construction, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is once again dealing with obstacles that are causing both delays and rising costs. While the building work in the heart of the city centre is coming along steadily, its progress has included the odd bump in the road. Simply getting materials to the site has proved quite challenging. The UvA has been transporting them by canal in an innovative and sustainable way. In addition, the project has proven to be more technically complex than was estimated during the permitting procedure in late 2020.