A reputation of steel

Machinefabriek Rusthoven specializes in processing steel in all its facets, ranging from sheet metal to complete (movable) bridges. And that diversity came in handy for Aanpak Ring Zuid. Combinatie Herepoort called on the Groningen company more than once. In 2024 alone, this involved seventeen orders, and the end is not yet in sight, even though the new ring road has now been opened to traffic.

For Machinefabriek Rusthoven, the project is a home game. "Our company is in a strategic location in the middle of the city, but right on the water," says Wout Raap of Machinefabriek Rusthoven. "In addition, we are known for our out-of-the-box approach, and that also proved to be of great value here on Aanpak Ring Zuid, especially when replacing the Euvelgunner bridge. For sustainability reasons, the two ballast boxes were retained. However, they had to be modified and made heavier. We then came up with the plan to take them out and transport them to our plant location for overhaul. Not very common, but for this project the most efficient solution. As a company, we dare to look further, and above all show guts, making the almost impossible possible after all."

Execution class 3

The ballast boxes were taken from 90 to 130 tons at Machinefabriek Rusthoven's site with the necessary modifications, then blasted and coated. They were then transported again, returned to the basement and welded to the new bridge. "All under performance class 3, of course," Wout emphasizes. In addition to modifying the ballast boxes, Machinefabriek Rusthoven was also responsible for removing the Euvelgunner bridge's drive system. "One thing leads to another, and that was certainly true here with the new ring road. From a plate here, a strip there and a corner line like that to an order worth several million euros. For example, we also made a number of fauna passages, supplied steel columns for various noise and green screens, and the construction for the sidewalls of the viaducts. Sometimes something small can grow into something very big or something big can grow into something even much bigger."

Although the new ring road is already in use, the project an sich is not yet completely finished. "For example, the finishing touches are currently being made to the layout of the park. For this we have received an order for the production of a fixed bicycle and pedestrian bridge in corten steel. All in all, a multifaceted reference project for us, even in our backyard."