200,000 tons of high-quality levee clay

A dike reinforcement project usually requires large quantities of clay to bring the dike back up to standard. Not surprisingly, Aannemingsbedrijf J. den Boer, with various clay concessions throughout the country, is called in for a large number of dike reinforcement projects. As was the case with the Mekante Diek construction consortium, consisting of Ploegam, Dura Vermeer and Van Oord, for the dike reinforcement between Tiel and Waardenburg.

The Waal dike is familiar territory for Aannemingsbedrijf J. den Boer. "On the stretch between Gorinchem and Waardenburg, for example, we have been providing the necessary clay supplies for a number of years," says director Ton Kuijs. "Contractors know they can come to us for high-quality dike clay, and that comes back with every dike reinforcement. What we do here on the stretch between Tiel and Waardenburg is not only supplying dike clay, but we also deploy our unloading pontoon BJ1 so that the dike clay can be transferred to the right means of transport."

Geertjesgolf

The dike clay used for project Dijkversterking Tiel-Waardenburg comes from project area Geertjesgolf, a large sand extraction project between the Ewijk interchange (A50 and N322) and the villages of Deest and Winssen. "In this area, clay, sand and gravel are being extracted in a sustainable way for use as building materials. The clay is of very high quality and can therefore be used as dike clay," Ton explains. "The 200,000 tons of clay complies with erosion class 1, is all clean soil and is delivered in phases. Each day we unload about 3,000 tons of clay with our crawler excavator with extended boom. The clay is then driven further into the project area via combination trucks."

Safe clay transport 

Through sister company Reductum, J. den Boer is fully equipped to transport clay efficiently and safely. "Our tippers have a steered rear axle, so you can turn and dump very short and perpendicular to the dike," Ton explains. "This is easier for the processor and safer, especially on dikes where there is usually little space on top. In addition, the vehicle is first hydraulically straightened before tipping, which again improves safety. Just like the plastic top layer in the body, which prevents clay from sticking to the bulkhead. Because clay on the bulkhead makes the vehicle top-heavy with all the risks that entails. Fortunately, more and more attention is being paid to this." Ton also proudly tells us that the first two electric trucks have been purchased and will eventually be used on dike reinforcement projects.

Approaching a (dike reinforcement) project in a safe and efficient manner and with high-quality equipment, that's what we as Aannemingsbedrijf J. den Boer and Transportbedrijf Reductum stand for, Ton summarizes. "And we have our hands full with that for the time being. At Geertjesgolf there is still over 1.5 million tons of dike clay, enough to serve various dike reinforcement projects in the coming years."