Nice mix of hydraulic engineering, renovation and restoration

Started in 1963 as a maintenance company in dry infrastructure, De Vries Werkendam has grown into a leading specialist around the realization of hydraulic and civil engineering structures and objects. Whether it concerns new construction, maintenance, renovation or restoration work, the expertise present guarantees a high-quality, custom-made execution. This was demonstrated once again during the renovation of the Groote Zeesluis in Muiden, a work of art with which the company has developed a special bond over the years.

Hydraulic and concrete construction holds hardly any secrets for De Vries Werkendam. Under the leadership of managing directors Dammes Oldenburg and Jan Luijten, the family business serves diverse clients within both disciplines. In the Netherlands and abroad. "In terms of design and realization, we offer a total package," says Oldenburg. "Both for new construction, maintenance, renovation and restoration. We have everything in-house to realize hydraulic and civil engineering projects. The installation of anchors and foundations is provided by our sister company De Vries Titan, a specialist since 1999 in the field of construction of anchoring and foundation systems for infra projects and civil and utility construction."

New milestone

During the recent renewal of the Groote Zeesluis, De Vries Werkendam once again put its extensive expertise into practice. The activities are a continuation of earlier work the company carried out in the heart of Muiden. Oldenburg therefore describes the project as a new milestone within the cooperation with Waternet. "We have been doing business with each other for decades. In 2004 we were commissioned for a large-scale restoration of the masonry and lock doors of the lock complex. At that time, the lock was completely dry and equipped with a full canopy in order to carry out the work in conditioned conditions. In 2016, we renovated some four door sets of the lock."

About two years back, De Vries Werkendam was approached again for a thorough renovation and restoration project. Now again, locally occurring cracking in the masonry had to be repaired and the remaining door frames had to receive the same treatment as the door frames in 2016. All steel structures of the lock complex and the traffic bridge were given a new preservation system and the woodwork of the lock house was renovated. Finally, it was a matter of replacing an old access bridge with a new one to be built in keeping with the monumental character of the lock. 

One-two punch

Oldenburg describes the work performed as a nice mix of hydraulic engineering, renovation and restoration activities. "Besides bringing in our own specialties, we called on our regular partner Nico de Bont from Vught, a specialist in classical restoration, for the restoration of the masonry and pointing." The renewal of two specific lock doors became a one-two punch with Wijma from Kampen, specializing in the manufacture of wooden lock doors. "While removing the outer door sets in the middle chamber, two doors turned out to be severely damaged. After a thorough inspection by Wijma's experts, it was decided to replace them. A great job that we brought to a successful conclusion together," said Oldenburg, concluding with words of praise for the client. "Waternet does not lose sight of the valuable function of the monumental artworks they manage. The Groote Zeesluis is a prime example. As a crowd puller, the complex has a major impact on the center of Muiden. There is plenty of awareness of that."