44,000 concrete slabs in construction of construction roads

On behalf of TenneT, a 40-kilometer, 380kV high-voltage connection is being constructed between Eemshaven and Vierverlaten. BAM Infra is responsible for the civil works in the subarea between Vierverlaten and Bedum. They in turn engaged Zwaagstra Beton to supply the more than 44,000 concrete slabs, which were preferred to steel driving plates.

A great deal of renewable energy is coming ashore at Eemshaven and must be transported to where it will be used. This new connection has more transport capacity and it uses a different type of mast (Wintrack), allowing as many as 163 lattice towers to disappear from the Groningen landscape.

Eye for the environment

The new high-voltage line to be constructed will run through land belonging to landowners. It is very important here that as little inconvenience as possible be caused to the surrounding area and that it be delivered and left as neatly as possible. "That is also one of the reasons why concrete driving plates were chosen," says André Veerkamp of Zwaagstra Beton. "Concrete slabs are easy to clean and also cause much less noise pollution than, for example, steel driving plates."

Logical choice

"Moreover, because of the frequent, heavy construction traffic, the concrete slabs must be able to support an axle load of at least 12 tons." Zwaagstra Beton supplied as many as 44,000 concrete slabs measuring two by two meters. "Largely these are the familiar 'smooth' concrete slabs, but where livestock must be able to cross safely and responsibly, concrete slabs with a rough top layer are used," continues Veerkamp. The choice of Zwaagstra Beton was a logical step for BAM Infra: not only the price-quality ratio but also the production capacity of the Hoogeveen-based company fits well with this huge job.