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As a regular maintenance partner of the Department of Public Works, it provides idverde NL not only handles regular green and civil maintenance, but is also available for emergencies. So when an emergency situation arose at the spillway dam near the Stuwweg in Maastricht, a project leader and the technical manager were mobilized in no time, a design team was built up and preparations and repair work were set in motion. Just under two months later, the repair operation is almost complete.
Back to early 2024 for a moment: due to a brief high water period around Christmas 2023 and a higher water discharge peak that followed, the spillway dam was damaged over a width of 50 meters. The dam, located at the end of a dead-end Meuse branch, normally provides nearly stagnant water in which about 40 houseboats are located. Following the breach of the dam, a strong current developed, with the risk of houseboats becoming detached. Due to the deteriorating situation, that risk unfortunately turned out to be a reality, when one moored houseboat broke loose and drifted against the bridge of the Stuwweg. Due to potential danger of collapse, the bridge was immediately closed to traffic. Together with and on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat idverde Realization, team PCN Maas, looking for appropriate solutions.
The optimal cooperation between all parties involved was the key to success and the speed achieved within this project.
"Initially, we set to work securing the remaining houseboats so that they could not move," says Mateusz Bala, technical manager a.i. at idverde Realization, team PCN Maas. "For the necessary civil knowledge, we support Oceaa Projects, of which Mateusz is general manager. idverde NL as a collaboration partner on this challenging project. "Then the detached houseboat was salvaged, we stabilized the damaged pillar of the bridge, realized a temporary ferry connection, installed emergency lighting, as well as started creating a temporary shore connection." And that went almost at the same pace at which Mateusz sums it up now.
"Within two days, together with a skipper from our network, we realized the temporary ferry connection so that residents could get back to their houseboats. Within a week, a complete design team was ready to propose solutions to the Department of Public Works and the necessary preparations were deployed and the construction site set up. The design for stabilizing the damaged bridge was complete within two weeks, and after six weeks the complete design for the temporary bank connection had been realized." Mateusz points out that it is quite unique to be able to switch so quickly and flexibly. "Especially during emergencies, it is enormously important to provide quick and clear solutions that can be implemented immediately," he says.
"You can realize such a challenging multidisciplinary project only if the right people are connected and if there is intensive and optimal cooperation between the various parties involved. And that's exactly where our strength lies," Mateusz says. He explains that there was a tight consultation structure in which there was continuous switching with the Department of Public Works, houseboat residents, the municipality of Maastricht, other stakeholders and subcontractors involved. "The added value of idverde NL and Oceaa Projects was in the flexibility and speed with which we mobilized to help Rijkswaterstaat and then ensured that everything was logistically well organized. From the very first moment we really worked seven days a week, from seven in the morning to seven in the evening, on both making the plans and execution. And it was all done using the good safety philosophy." He is proud of the phenomenal cooperation between the Department of Public Works, idverde NL, Oceaa and all other parties involved, such as DVA-Engineering BV, Boels, Defense, Nobleo Bouw & Infra, Hektec, HKV line in water, Mammoet and Van den Biggelaar Grond- en waterbouw. "It was really the best cooperation we've had so far," said Boels.
When we ask Mateusz about the current status of the rehabilitation operation, he tells us that the temporary levee connection has been completed and delivered. The dam will be repaired by another party and the stabilized bridge is undergoing extensive inspection. "Research should show whether the bridge can be repaired or whether it needs to be replaced. Together with a specialized bridge builder, we will look at the research results and make plans for this. The lines for this have already been set out. Of course, in the context of sustainability, we are looking at what can be reused." After repairing or replacing the bridge and restoring the dam, the temporary bank connection will be lifted again and the idverde NL in charge of its annual inspection round. Mateusz concludes, "All in all, a complex project at a unique location where all kinds of disciplines were deployed! Thanks to determination and optimal cooperation, a safe environment was created here very quickly."
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