Reno portals and specials

More and more infrastructure projects are focusing on reuse. This was also the case with Combinatie Herepoort's Aanpak Ring Zuid, the new southern ring road in the city of Groningen. Of the 41 traffic engineering supporting structures (gantries), GS Birkhoff Staalwerken used no fewer than 31 reno gantries and produced only ten new ones, including some very special ones. 

Our services go much further than just delivering a "piece of steel," says Henk van den Ochtend, director of GS Birkhoff Steelworks. "We are a player that likes to think along in design or in bridging temporary situations, as was the case here in Groningen in some locations. That is what we are strong at. For example, we deployed a special renoligger to maintain the signaling. This was only replaced by a renovation gantry in the final situation. Solution-oriented thinking along with our client, that's what makes us happy, going beyond the standard."

Hussar

This solution-oriented approach by GS Birkhoff Staalwerken came in handy for gantry 39 above structure 22. "A standard gantry supported on concrete piles was not suitable here," says Henk. "We developed a steel support structure that rests on the substructure of the structure itself, some 6 meters below. It really did become quite a feat." The suspension construction of the portals at the sunken location also came from GS Birkhoff Staalwerken. "Based on a picture and a brief sketch, we developed an efficient solution. Again, outside the standard. Clients can outsource the whole picture to us: from design, drawing and calculation to production, conservation and assembly. We have everything in our own hands." 

Circular

Apart from these specials, GS Birkhoff Steelworks also deployed a large number of renovation portals. "Fifteen are from the project, the other sixteen from our stock from other projects. They are dismantled by us, inspected and reworked (shortened or lengthened) according to the requirements of the Department of Public Works," Henk explains. "The A-legs are modified and the whole thing is blasted and re-painted." GS Birkhoff Staalwerken has its own blasting and conservation hall. "This allows us to guarantee a very short lead time if necessary. We are certified for chromium 6 blasting and have a unique 2-layer paint system that reaches final performance within 48 hours with a life expectancy of more than 30 years."

Difficult issues

GS Birkhoff Staalwerken delivered the portals in Groningen in phases. "We have been active on the project since 2020 with the removal and conversion of the first gantries and so have delivered and assembled a series of (reno) gantries each year," says Henk. The expertise is valued not only in infra, as the company is also a renowned name in petrochemicals and offshore. "If there are unachievable schedules or difficult issues, you've come to the right place. For example, we are also making an important contribution to the Oosterweel connection in Antwerp, where we are engineering and supplying, among other things, the head plates and zinc joint edging for the zinc tunnels."