Rijkswaterstaat and construction consortium De Groene Waarden sign contract for widening A27 Houten-Everdingen

Rijkswaterstaat and the construction consortium De Groene Waarden (consisting of BESIX and Mobilis with partners Van Gelder, Mourik and BESIX Infra Nederland) signed the design & build contract for the widening of the northern section of the A27 between Houten and Everdingen last Wednesday, April 12, in Nieuwegein. The southern part was already awarded by Rijkswaterstaat at the end of 2022. The northern part of the project covers a length of seven kilometers. The project has a lead time until 2032.

Director General Michèle Blom signed the contract on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat. Nic de Roeck, BESIX Nederland general manager, and Remco Hoeboer, Mobilis general manager, signed the contract on behalf of the De Groene Waarden construction consortium.

In her speech, Michèle Blom mentioned the project is complex and one with technical challenges: the renewal of the Hagestein Bridge, the widening of the Houten Bridge and many places with soft ground. In addition, road and water traffic must continue to flow during the renovation.

Comprehensive infrastructure project

During the roundtable discussion that took place at the same time as the contract signing, Jan Theelen, contract manager A27 Houten-Everdingen, indicated that this is an extensive infrastructure project. The road between Houten and Everdingen will have four lanes in the southern direction. In the northern direction (Everdingen and Houten), two lanes and a rush-hour lane will be retained. At the location of the current Hagesteinsebrug a new bridge with a bicycle connection will be built. The existing Houten bridge will be widened.

The location of the project requires much attention to the surrounding area. An environment with three neighboring municipalities, a province, two water boards, many business parks, social organizations and local residents. Traffic on the road and the water must continue to flow and the road must fit into the landscape with the Hollandsche Waterlinie. Together with Rijkswaterstaat, De Groene Waarden wants to be the guardian of the landscape and the A27 as a good host. Stakeholders from the immediate area were involved in the project at an early stage. For example, to help think about the landscaping and commuting.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key component in the comprehensive infra project. For example, the tender includes a plan of action for the sustainable pedestrian bridge De Kroon. The construction consortium is reusing a number of steel girders from the Hagestein Bridge for the main span of the new De Kroon pedestrian bridge. The steel from the Hagestein Bridge will return in the canopy of the pedestrian bridge.  

Two-stage approach

As with the A27 South (Everdingen-Hooipolder) project, the combination is also working on the A27 North project according to the two-phase approach. An approach that is important for the transition to a vital infrastructure sector.

During the meeting for the contract signing, Dick van Klaveren, portfolio director of Rijkswaterstaat, explained the systematics. Projects such as the widening of the A27 have many uncertainties and risks. The two-phase approach shapes the management of the risks in which the market works out the design in close cooperation with Rijkswaterstaat. Using this approach, we do not set the price for the most risky parts until the risks and uncertainties are further clear and the design is final.

Nic de Roeck, BESIX general manager for the Netherlands, is looking forward to building a fine cooperation with Rijkswaterstaat and the consortium in the years to come. 'The two-phase approach we are deploying with Rijkswaterstaat, with better risk management and a fairer distribution, contributes to a good infrastructure sector and a more predictable course of the project.'

Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, De Groene Waarden - a combination of BESIX, Mobilis and its partners Van Gelder, Mourik and BESIX Infra Nederland - is responsible for widening the northern section of the A27 Houten-Everdingen to improve traffic flow. Part of the project is the renovation of the Hagestein Bridge and the widening of the Houten Bridge. This is a design & build contract that the combination is tackling in two phases together with Rijkswaterstaat. With the two-phase approach, there is better risk management and fairer distribution. In this way, we contribute to a stable infrastructure sector and a more predictable course of the project. Together we are working on a safe, livable and accessible Netherlands.

Quote van Gelder: "Van Gelder is committed to the smooth and safe flow of road traffic on this important arterial road. Our goal is to create a stable and predictable traffic pattern. As a result, traffic will experience as little inconvenience as possible during the work in the coming years," said Rolf Mars, Van Gelder Director of Major & Integral Projects. "For the new pedestrian bridge we are using the steel from the old Hagestein bridge. That's a great example of circular construction."   

Quotes Mourik: Director of Projects at Mourik Infra, Gerwin van der Hoek: "For Mourik, this contract creates long-term certainty and thus the desired business continuity. The two-phase approach allows us to deploy our long-term experience in similar integral projects, our local area knowledge, our innovations and sustainability measures. This proactive close cooperation strengthens the predictability of the project and creates added value for our client Rijkwaterstaat and our project partners."

(Quote Mourik which was used with the RWS press release)

Managing Director Mourik Infra, Walter Deelen: "The A27 North project is tailor-made for us and fits perfectly with the portfolio and future vision as formulated in our strategy. The project fits in the transition to the vital infrastructure sector, where Mourik makes an active contribution in cooperation with clients and strategic partners in the realization of two-phase contracts."

Quote Mobilis: 'Good coordination and connection with all stakeholders is important in this extensive infrastructure project that we are going to shape with De Groene Waarden. The complex project places high demands on the environment and requires intensive cooperation. I am confident that with the two-phase approach we will realize this project successfully. Together we are going for smarter connections and better construction," said Remco Hoeboer, Mobilis director.