Posted on October 21, 2024
Van Oord has succesfully completed the Standhazensedijk dyke reinforcement project near the village of Drimmelen in Noord-Brabant. To meet current safety standards, some 730 metres of the dyke had to be reinforced. The project was commissioned by Brabantse Delta Water Board and forms part of the Netherlands’ national Flood Protection Programme. The project was completed this week.
Reinforcing the dyke involved installing a heave screen made of recycled synthetic materials. A heave screen is a vertical waterproof barrier inside the dyke that prevents sand particles from being washed away at its foot, leading to destabilisation. Because it is made of recycled synthetics, the heave screen is a more sustainable and inexpensive alternative to traditional steel sheet piling. In addition to installing the screen, Van Oord also raised the embankments and installed netting to protect the dyke from beavers and other burrowing animals. The result is a dyke that is strong, easy to inspect, manageable, maintainable, and that meets the needs of the local community.
Innovative and sustainable
One of the award criteria was a low environmental cost indicator (ECI) for the entire project, from design to implementation. In addition to the heave screen made of recycled synthetics, Van Oord took other steps to make the project as sustainable as possible. For example, it sourced raw materials locally as much as possible, set up a ‘fauna hotel’, and sowed herb-rich grass mixtures to promote biodiversity.
Flood protection programme
Rising sea levels and more extreme weather will mean longer and more frequent periods of flooding. Strong dykes are essential to being well prepared for the future. The Standhazensedijk dyke reinforcement project is part of the national Flood Protection Programme, the purpose of which is to future-proof flood defences throughout the Netherlands.
‘Standhazensedijk was a unique dyke reinforcement project. The water board stressed sustainability in its call for tenders and dyke reinforcement was prioritised. It took us only a year to bring an entire 2-phase approach to a successful conclusion. This is in part thanks to the excellent cooperation between Van Oord and Brabantse Delta Water Board. I’m proud that by completing this project, we’ve once again contributed to flood protection in the Netherlands.’
— Stan Bettinger, Project Manager at Van Oord
‘The completion of the Standhazensedijk dyke reinforcement is a magnificent milestone for flood safety in our area. The project was short and intensive. We are delighted that we were able to cooperate closely and in a positive manner with the Flood Protection Programme and Van Oord. Because we shared the task of preparing thoroughly, the work went smoothly and without delay.’
— Anco Sneep, Executive Director of Brabantse Delta Water Board
Standhazensedijk opening
Standhazensedijk opening
