Levvel blocs production facility in Harlingen officially opened

On Friday, September 27, construction consortium Levvel (BAM, Van Oord and Rebel) officially opened the production facility for Levvel blocks in Harlingen. This is where the production of the concrete breakwater elements used to reinforce the Afsluitdijk in the coming years will take place. Commissioner Fokkens of the Province of Fryslân performed the opening act.

Circular construction

Levvel has leased a site of some 10 hectares on Lange Lijnbaan in the Industriehaven from Port of Harlingen for this purpose. There is a shed of about 4,000m2, a carousel, a concrete plant, storage silos and depots for sand, gravel and cement and a large gantry crane. The plant is circularly built; upon completion, the components are disassembled and used elsewhere. Several parties from the region are involved in both the construction and the production process. Commissioner Fokkens: "The province is pleased that Fryslân has a factory with such an innovative product. Because the Levvel blocks are produced near the Afsluitdijk, in Harlingen, we have short transports over water and a small ecological footprint. This totally suits the character of the Afsluitdijk. Furthermore, we are pleased that precisely many regional companies have helped to bring about this factory. Just as many companies from this region are now helping to reinforce the dike."

Fully automated process

Levvel blocks are made with an automated carousel in which more than a hundred steel molds rotate. A unique application within hydraulic engineering. The mold is filled with concrete and after curing, the mold is removed again. The empty molds are inspected, cleared of cement residue and prepared for the next concrete pour. Approximately every nine minutes a Levvel block is made, at least one hundred blocks per day.

Water transportation

Through an opening in the shed, a large gantry crane transfers the Levvel blocks to the adjacent storage depot. A dock has been constructed as an extension of the depot. The same crane loads the blocs onto ships for transport to the Afsluitdijk. The blocks are also placed on the dike from the water. This minimizes disruption to road traffic.

New skin

To strengthen the Afsluitdijk, the dike body on the Wadden Sea side is getting a new skin. As many as 75,000 Levvel-blocs are being placed over the existing basalt. The Levvel-bloc, also known as XblocPlus, has been specially developed for the Afsluitdijk. Each block weighs 6,500 kilograms and has a wave-inhibiting effect. The elements are given a rough top and pools in which water can remain, creating opportunities for vegetation growth. Through symmetry and regular placement, the block creates a calm image that reinforces the austere, autonomous character of the dike.

The Levvel blocks produce CO2 savings of as much as 56% compared to the preliminary design, because much less concrete is required than for comparable dike reinforcement material.

Reinforcement of Afsluitdijk

Construction consortium Levvel is working on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat until 2022 to reinforce the Afsluitdijk. Additional sluices and pumping stations are also being built to drain more water from the IJsselmeer into the Wadden Sea. This will keep the Netherlands protected from the power of water in the future. For more information visit www.deafsluitdijk.nl.

More information and Loket Afsluitdijk

Rijkswaterstaat, construction consortium Levvel, regional authorities (De Nieuwe Afsluitdijk) and Windpark Fryslân have jointly set up the "Afsluitdijk Counter". This is the place to go for all questions and suggestions about the work on the Afsluitdijk. T: 0800-6040 and E: loket@deafsluitdijk.nl.
More information on planned work can be found at www.vanAnaarBeter.nl. More information about the projects on the Afsluitdijk and about the bicycle bus timetable can be found atwww.deafsluitdijk.nl