Ham Street traffic circle

Starting in mid-2026, the municipality of Kerkrade will be working on the Hamstraat traffic circle. Due to the construction of the Buitenring Parkstad Limburg (N300), traffic jams regularly occur in the evening rush hour from the Buitenring.

The traffic circle will be renewed and expanded with two additional exits, one towards Voorterstraat and one from downtown/Stationsstraat. There will be two bridges for pedestrians and cyclists so they can safely cross the traffic circle.

Who can participate?

  • Residents within a ±80-200 meter radius of the traffic circle;
  • Residents on the Bleijerheide side who will be directly affected by the changes in bicycle and pedestrian connections.
     

This is your influence on the plans

During the walk-in evening on Oct. 20, 2025, residents and stakeholders were able to influence the plans by viewing the sketch design for the new traffic circle at Ham Street. They were able to view the two bridges, ask questions and give their opinions on the proposed layout.

The invitation to participate applied to residents within a radius of approximately 80 to 200 meters around the traffic circle. The invitation also applied to residents on the Bleijerheide side, because they will be directly affected by changes in bicycle and pedestrian connections.
 

We do this with the results of the interviews

All responses received are currently being collected and will soon be published on this page.

We also indicate which suggestions and comments we will include in the further development of the plans. This provides insight into how the input of residents and neighbors has influenced the final design.

Planning

  1. Completed: Residents' evening - Completion date

    During the walk-in evening on Oct. 20, 2025, residents and stakeholders were able to influence the plans through the sketch design for the new traffic circle at Ham Street. 

    Explanation of the various topics about which we have received questions and comments

Contact

The new traffic circle with two additional exits, one towards Voorterstraat and one from downtown/Stationsstraat. There will be two bridges for pedestrians and cyclists.

Attachments

Summary of Questions and Responses from the Open House on October 20, 2025

During the public information session on October 20, 2025, we explained the design for the new roundabout at the intersection of Hamstraat and Voorterstraat and the two bridges. 

Visitors were able to view the preliminary design, ask questions, and share their thoughts on the plans. 

We’d like to provide more information on the various topics about which we’ve received questions and comments: 

Lighting

The bridges and the slow-traffic route will be well lit to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians, especially in the evening.

Safe for pedestrians, horseback riders, and cyclists

The design takes pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders into account. A safe route for non-motorized traffic will be created. We will consider input from stakeholders, such as the riding school, for possible adjustments.

We take wildlife into account

Several (protected) animals, such as badgers, live in the area around the roundabout. We are taking these animals into account during the construction work and the renovation of the roundabout.

For example, we're looking into whether it's possible to build badger tunnels as part of the new layout. 

Dog Walking Area

To make room for the exits and bridges, we are relocating the dog park. 

Access to the Beemden

The staircase leading from the roundabout toward Baamstraat cannot remain because the exit to Voorterstraat will be located there. The crosswalk near KVC Oranje will become the new entrance to Beemden. 

Pedestrian Crossing and Parking on Voorterstraat

There will be no additional crosswalk on Voorterstraat toward Beemden at this time. There is already a safe crosswalk near KVC Oranje. If we renovate Voorterstraat in the future, we will consider whether we can add a second crosswalk. At that time, we will also look into whether we can improve parking options on Voorterstraat. 

Noise-reducing asphalt

When we renovate Domaniale Mijnstraat in the future, we will explore the possibilities of using noise-reducing asphalt to reduce noise pollution for residents on Klinkstraat.

Parking and Wheelchair Access on Deken van Ormelingenstraat

A driving curve analysis has determined that, under current conditions, it is possible to safely drive in and out of the garage at 22 Deken van Ormelingenstraat in a standard passenger car.

We are investigating whether it is possible to make the path between Deken van Ormelingenstraat 11-13 wheelchair-accessible. This depends, among other things, on the difference in elevation and the available length, which will determine the slope percentage.

Maximum speed

On Hamstraat up to the N300, the speed limit will remain the same as it is now. As part of a future renovation of Domaniale Mijnstraat, we will explore whether we can lower the speed limit on the section starting at the roundabout to 50 kilometers per hour. 

Maria Goretti Street Bike Path 

At the intersection of the bike path and Maria Gorettistraat, we are examining how to make the situation as safe as possible for all road users.