Reinforcement of Afsluitdijk launched

The Afsluitdijk will undergo an overhaul in the coming years to make it ready for the future. On April 1, Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) performed the official starting act for strengthening the dike on the Friesian side of the Afsluitdijk.

Van Nieuwenhuizen: 'For 87 years, this iconic structure has protected a large part of our country from the water. With this large-scale renovation, the Afsluitdijk will be ready for the future again in four years.'

The dike will be reinforced and about two meters higher. To do this, the Afsluitdijk will be lined with 75 thousand newly designed sustainable concrete blocks. Due to the special shape of the blocks, less concrete is needed than previously used material. This ensures 56% less CO2 emissions. The concrete blocks will be laid over the old basalt, with which the dike was built almost 90 years ago.

Between Kornwerderzand and the Frisian coast, the old basalt will be removed and reused within the project. Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen symbolically removed a basalt block from this section of the dike during the launch ceremony.

Sustainable
The spuicomplexes at Den Oever are being expanded with additional sluices and two large pumping stations. This will allow more water to be discharged into the Wadden Sea that flows into the IJsselmeer via the IJssel. The pumping stations are energy-efficient. The energy needed is generated with 2.7 hectares of solar panels at Den Oever. The lock complex at Kornwerderzand will have a storm surge barrier, which will soon protect the locks from stormy weather. To restore the connection between the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer for migratory fish, a fish migration pier is being constructed by regional partnership The New Afsluitdijk.

Work
Delays on the road will be minimized as much as possible because much of the work will be done from the water. At the time when fewer lanes are available, this may result in longer travel times. For safety reasons, the bike path will unfortunately be closed for the next 3 years of work. Alternatively, cyclists and walkers can use free buses. About the closure of the bike path, together with interest groups such as the Cyclists' Union, we are looking at possibilities to open it occasionally.

Marine traffic will also be inconvenienced because the locks will be closed alternately during certain periods.

The work is being carried out by construction consortium Levvel (BAM , Van Oord, Rebel) and will be completed by the end of 2022. After completion of the work, Levvel BV will remain responsible for maintenance for another 25 years.