The Langegracht (Long Canal) started as part of the expansion of Leiden in 1611. It became an industrial area, with clothing factories, a power station, gas works, distillery and a incinerator. There were some houses, most of the slum type. In the 1960s and 70s the factories closed. In 1964 the canal was filled in and it was turned into a four-lane car road, part of the so-called City Ring, a car route through Leiden. Leiden was not very accessible by car, certainly not if you wanted to drive north-south. The factories have been replaced by modern buildings and some new building projects have been planned to replace those modern buildings. The design of the Langegracht will be changed from the end of March 2021: narrower car lanes, bigger green area inbetween, new road surfaces etc.