1964 The Bureau Stadsspoorwegen (Office of Urban Railways) recommended improving public transportation in Amsterdam by creating a metro network to supplement the diffuse network of buses and trams.
1971 The construction of the Oostlijn (East Line) started.
1975 The plan for the metro network is withdrawn in response to major opposition to it from the general public during the construction of the Oostlijn (due to the demolition of buildings). 1978 The City of Amsterdam decided against any further expansion of the metro network.
1988 The possibilities of using the tunnel-boring technique beneath Amsterdam were brought to the attention of the Chamber of Commerce.
1989 The go-ahead was given for the first Noord/Zuidlijn study.
1990 The second study phase began.
1991 City council presentation
1993 The third study phase began.
1994 The preparations for the plan and the definition of the project started.
1995 - 31 May: The City Council ordered a partial determination of a definitive schedule of requirements.
1996 - 27 November: The City Council issued a decree in favour of construction.
1997 - 25 June: A referendum on the Noord/Zuidlijn was held. Of the 123,198 people who voted: 79,861 were against and 42,961 were for the construction. But for the referendum to be valid, the number of people who voted ‘no’ had to be larger than half the total number of voters in the most recent city council elections, plus one. That meant that 154,935 people would have needed to vote against the project.
1998 - 27 June: The subsidy application was submitted.
1999 - October: The Dutch Lower House of Parliament awarded the subsidy.
2000 - 21 June: The subsidy package was accepted.
2002 - 9 October: The definitive ‘go’ decision was made.
2003 - April: Construction activities for the Noord/Zuidlijn started.
Milestones
1 July 1994 Schedule of requirements started
22 September 1999 Implementation of Temporary Measures started
12 December 2000 Call for tenders (I)
25 October 2001 Call for tenders (II)
7 November 2002 Contracts for the CS, Rokin, Vijzelgracht and Ceintuurbaan stations are awarded
