Heiloo underpass opened to traffic

The underpass on Vennewatersweg in Heiloo opened today to all traffic. Since late 2018, the Mobilis-Hegeman combination has been working on the underpass. The combination did this on behalf of ProRail and the Municipality of Heiloo. After the unveiling, the fences were removed and waiting traffic was able to pass through the tunnel for the first time.

Online opening

Because of the corona measures, an alternative opening act was devised. A video was made in which Bart van den Heijkant, project manager at Mobilis, gives visitors a look inside the tunnel. Many have since watched the video and were among the first to "drive" through the tunnel. You can watch the video here:

Construction of the underpass

Since late 2018, ProRail and construction combination Mobilis-Hegeman have been working on the railroad underpass on Vennewatersweg. A year and a half later, the work has been completed. Robert Jan Feijen, Mobilis director: "Mobilis is proud of the result and thanks the municipality and ProRail for the space we were given to apply the innovative Geo-concrete in this underpass. By taking this step, we have jointly given the project a sustainable character." "The decommissioning where the railroad deck was driven in remains the most impressive moment of the project. This was an extra challenge, because despite the sunny weather there was a lot of wind, yet it went beautifully," said Kees Takkebos on behalf of Hegeman's management. ProRail regional director Kees Rutten also looks back on a successful collaboration and completion of the project. "Through this railroad underpass we ensure that there will again be a safe crossing with a busy railroad. We are very pleased with this." The new railroad underpass provides increased road safety and accessibility.

Geo-concrete

Mobilis was the first civil contractor in the Netherlands to apply a sustainable concrete in this project: Geo concrete. Never before has geopolymer concrete been used in a main bearing structure of a government project. Geopolymer has a big advantage: the CO2 footprint. It is significantly lower than that of traditional concrete.

'Through the Strandwal'

The underpass has been named "Through the Beach Wall. This refers to the beach embankment through which the underpass is built. A cross section of the ground layers is shown in the tiling of the tunnel.

Bicycle bridge

In addition to the railroad underpass, the bicycle bridge over Vennewatersweg is also open. This connects the Hoogeweg with the Groeneweg. This allows cyclists to safely cross Vennewatersweg.

Work

After May 20, some more work will be carried out. Temporary speed reduction ramps have also been installed at the intersections Vennewatersweg - Hoogeweg and Vennewatersweg - Westerweg. The speed bumps will remain in place until the Vennewatersweg is redesigned.