Large-scale renovation Veerhaven Puttershoek 

The historic Veerhaven harbor in Puttershoek is undergoing a major renovation this year. The harbor has a rich history dating back to the time of the ferry services and is being substantially refurbished to make it safer and more sustainable, but also to preserve the charm of this historic part of Puttershoek for the future. A complex project that requires out-of-the-box thinking and an innovative approach. Iv has been working on this large-scale renovation since 2021, commissioned by the Hoeksche Waard municipality. What is involved? And what will change with the renovation? 

A sustainable boost for the Veerhaven 

Located on the Oude Maas River, Puttershoek's Veerhaven has served as a crucial hub for regional passenger and freight transportation for decades. The ferry service operating here connects Puttershoek with surrounding villages and towns. Historically, the harbor has always occupied a central position in the maritime identity of the Hoeksche Waard. 

Years of intensive use, combined with aging infrastructure, have resulted in significant wear and tear on the Veerhaven. For example, the quay walls are cracking and the mooring and safety facilities are defective. In addition, climate changes, such as higher water levels and more extreme weather conditions, have increased pressure on the port.

The renovation of the ferry port in Puttershoek ensures that the port is strengthened. Using modern techniques and working methods, both the east and west sides of the harbor will be renovated, ensuring safety and functionality for the future. With a focus on repairing and renewing the infrastructure of the harbor, Iv is providing advice for the technical design and, on behalf of the Hoeksche Waard municipality, Iv is responsible for the technical and contract management, the tendering process and the supervision of the construction process through management and supervision. Iv is working in a construction team with the Hoeksche Waard municipality and Beens Groep of Genemuiden as contractor. The renovation of the Veerhaven will include the replacement of the quay walls. The paving will also be renewed to give the harbor a fresh appearance. The renovation is necessary because the quay walls are leaking and in combination with the regular high water this causes problems with the paving. The new quay walls must be able to absorb the high water, strong currents and waves from the Old Meuse and provide a safe (mooring) place for houseboats and properties around the harbor.   

Innovative work methods and technical challenges 

One of the unique challenges with this project is the location of the Veerhaven harbor. In order for the work to proceed safely and efficiently, an innovative approach was adopted in which the harbor mouth is temporarily closed with a cofferdam construction and the harbor filled in and drained. This method reduces the complexity of implementing the new quay construction, allowing work to be done faster and in a dry environment. Damming the harbor also provides a stable working environment and reduces the risk of damage to the environment. This is because the current quays are stabilized by filling in the harbor, after which the new quay walls can be installed from a stable situation. In addition, the design and phasing of the work must take into account local residents living right next to the harbor and the ferry service that must continue to operate.

There is an important intake siphon in the harbor that ensures sufficient and clean water in the polder behind. Due to the temporary filling of the harbor, the intake siphon threatened to be unavailable during implementation. In close cooperation with water board Hollandse Delta, a temporary adjustment to the inlet siphon was therefore provided. The inlet point will be moved approximately 75 meters to the Oude Maas during implementation.

The new quay walls must be able to absorb high water, strong currents and waves from the Old Meuse River and provide a safe (mooring) place for the houseboats and properties around them. To this end, various technical designs were made and materials researched to determine the required construction. From the very first design steps, Iv played a central role in the preparation and coordination of this approach, which was further developed with the contractor Beens Groep, making the renovation safer and more sustainable. The intensive collaboration with the contractor resulted in the design being fully optimized in relation to the working method, phasing and equipment to be deployed.

The diversity of work requires a detailed and careful approach. The old, partially masonry quay wall will be replaced and a steel sheet pile wall with concrete cover gap will be installed. In the process, nearby historic and monumental buildings and the primary flood barrier must be taken into account. Maintaining ecological value is also a priority. The work should preferably be carried out outside the breeding season or follow an ecological work protocol to avoid disturbing nature. As a result, much of the work will be carried out during the flood season. This brings challenges, as the harbor is normally largely under water at high tide. A temporary flood barrier is therefore provided during implementation to allow the work in the harbor to be carried out. 

Implementation work began in November 2024. The renovation is expected to be completed in October 2025.