Jubilist broadens scope

Croonwolter&dros will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025! This will of course be celebrated in a big way. The Infra division works every day to maintain the availability of the Dutch infrastructure. In addition to tunnels, bridges and locks, Croonwolter&dros' focus is increasingly on maintaining water safety in all its facets. A look back at 2024 and a look ahead to 2025.

"Last year we were fully active in building, maintaining and upgrading tunnels, bridges and locks," begins Tom Wiersma, Manager of Operations at Croonwolter&dros Infra. "We are working on the flow of traffic on the road and on the water. We are also working on all kinds of appealing projects to keep the Netherlands water safe. For example, we have been the maintenance partner for the Maeslantkering for many years. We may be an invisible party to many, but we have been present behind the scenes for 150 years to guarantee the availability and safety of the Dutch infrastructure. We do that from a number of locations in the Netherlands, with 175 of our own people and around them a flexible shell of cooperating partners."

Maintenance and renovation

Croonwolter&dros has many new construction tunnels on its porfolio, and is also a valued partner in the V&R (Replacement and Renovation) assignment. "In the past, for example, we have been involved in the construction of the Westerscheldetunnel and the Sluiskil tunnel, the Second Coen Tunnel, and most recently the Corbulo Tunnel in Leiden and the Rottemerentunnel in the A16 near Rotterdam," lists Annemarie Rutgers, Manager Tender Agency and Commercials within Croonwolter&dros Infra. "All new construction, then, but we do a lot more in maintenance and renovation. Last year, among other things, we contributed to the renovation of the Second Coentunnel near Amsterdam and the renovation of the Roertunnel and Tunnel Swalmen in Limburg on the A73. We also maintain these tunnels, two tunnels in Zeeland and nine tunnels in South Holland. So we are rightfully active throughout the Netherlands."

Highlights

The opening of the Corbulo Tunnel on July 5 is surely one of the highlights of 2024 for Tom, as is the completion of the first phase of the renovation of the Second Coentunnel. "During a 7-week closure last summer, we dismantled, overhauled or renewed the installations in the Coentunnel and reassembled them against the newly installed heat-resistant sheeting so that the tunnel tube could be safely reopened. The second tunnel tube is scheduled to open in 2025. Another highlight was the 6-week closure of the Ruhr Tunnel and Tunnel Swalmen for the second consecutive year, during which we successfully replaced part of the traffic and tunnel technical installations."

Multi-year maintenance

Obtaining the availability certificate for the Rottemer Tunnel on Sept. 30 was another milestone for Croonwolter&dros, as part of combination De Groene Boog. "We are responsible for all tunnel technical installations and soon also for multi-year maintenance," says Tom. "For the just-completed Corbulo tunnel, we are now in the middle of the multi-year maintenance contract. Furthermore, we just completed the Large Maintenance Bridges and Locks (GOBS) Flevoland project, in which we renovated, updated and made 13 bridges and 11 locks operable from Lelystad for the province. We have also been busy this past year replacing the lighting in the Sijtwen tunnels. Actually, 2024 was a succession of peaks," Tom says with a laugh.

Next level

With its own expertise and an extensive partner network, Croonwolter&dros Infra can handle complex projects, according to Annemarie. "That makes us and our partners commissioned to renovate the Krammer Locks in mid-2024, and we are very proud of that. It is the largest concrete complex that Rijkswaterstaat has ever built. It fits well with our strategy and ambition to grow in wet infrastructure. For example, in the middle of this year we completed the renovation of the Haringvliet Bridge with sister company Mobilis and we are now working on Phase 1 of the Renovation of the Sand Creek Lock."

Jubilee year

From 2025, Croonwolter&dros will also enter the water market with the Infra division. "It is not new for our organization, because previously projects in drinking water and wastewater treatment were carried out by our colleagues in the Industry division, but contractually and in terms of content it fits more with the Infra division. Hence, the Industry division stops in that market, and the Infra division starts in it," Annemarie explains. "So with that broadening, from 2025 we will be working as Croonwolter&dros Infra to ensure safe passage, dry feet and clean and safe drinking water. This means we have a socially involved presence. In 2025 we will also celebrate our 150th anniversary. That confirms our rock-solid position. We will certainly also visibly promote the anniversary year to the outside world, which we will start in January at the InfraTech in Ahoy."