ECG is right at home on the dike

Ever since the tender, Explosive Clearance Group has been assisting combination Mekante Diek in the preparation, mapping, detection and approach of explosive remnants of war (OO) for the dyke reinforcement between Tiel and Waardenburg. Familiar terrain for the explosives detection specialist, as the company is a familiar presence on our homeland's dikes.

"We were initially involved in the project as consultants," begins Frank Lefering, Operations Manager at Explosive Clearance Group (ECG). "In the tender phase, we identified the detection areas based on the preliminary design and historical preliminary investigation. Then we estimated how many square meters of area should be detected. Based on our years of knowledge and experience with such projects, we can roughly predict how many significant objects we will find."

From dike reinforcements to aircraft shelters

ECG is a familiar party to Mekante Diek and has a lot of experience with dike reinforcements. "For example, with the same combiners we also did Wolferen - Sprok," says Frank. "Now we are already rigging the next route, the dike reinforcement Neder-Betuwe. Other combinations, including the Nieuw Bergen dike reinforcement, also require our expertise." According to Frank, this has to do with ECG's civil engineering background. "Not only do we speak the language of the contracting industry, but, if required, we take everything off your hands from A to Z. For example, our preliminary investigation department takes care of the preparatory work and the risk analyses, playing a strong advisory role towards the client in the preliminary phase. Subsequently, our investigation department, by far the largest branch within our organization, takes care of all work in the field. In addition, we focus with our specialist department 'ECG Air Branch' on the special branch
of aircraft storage."

Independent

ECG has been in existence since 2006 and is one of the few investigation companies operating completely independently. "We are not affiliated with any civil engineering company and therefore work completely independently in every step of the detection process," Frank emphasizes. For dike reinforcement Tiel-Waardenburg, approaching explosive remnants of war was initially excluded from the scope. "However, it is an obligation of the contractor to organize it. During the follow-up process, we were also called in as the executing party for detecting and approaching. We then worked out the detection work in reports and drawings and, in consultation with Mekante Diek, made a cost estimate for the approach work. The next step is to actually approach objects and disturbed areas in the field." As it turns out, the "yield" is not too bad. "We did find some explosive remnants of war, but it is limited to tails of a mortar and a 20mm grenade. A big contrast to the 500- to 1,000-pounders of ordnance we encounter at other sites."

The project is progressing nicely on schedule, according to Frank for ECG. "We have now 'secured' 80% of the work. Now it's mainly some small areas here and there that still need to be surveyed. Although there are a few tricky areas, where we can only start work once the stones have been removed from the dike, for example. The biggest challenge lies in the cooperation with the various disciplines that are simultaneously active on the dike and the flexibility that is required. It is a coming and going. We also support archaeology, geology and the environmental survey where necessary. Areas where these disciplines want to dig trial trenches or perform drilling are cleared by us in advance or simultaneously. All in all, another great reference project."