Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
The Maasvlakte is familiar territory for WD Infra. Commissioned by BAM Infra Nederland, the specialist in the sustainable and certified installation of paving structures is realizing, among other things, a six-kilometer new bicycle connection and all element paving on and along the Princess Alexia Viaduct. An interview with Willem Koelewijn, owner of WD Infra.
“Our scope roughly consists of two parts: half concerns the realization of the new bicycle connection, the other half the installation of various element pavements around the asphalt on and around the Princess Alexia Viaduct,” Koelewijn begins. “It ranges from curb stones and traffic guides to low-maintenance paving. All this work is performed by us by machine to ensure speed, precision and durability.”
The new bicycle connection will be 3 meters wide and finished with concrete tiles. “The substructure consists of a rubble foundation that BAM is realizing. From that point we take over the work. We apply a 5 centimeter thick sand bed, finish it flat and lay the tiles completely by machine. We also neatly finish the verges. This creates a low-maintenance and sustainable end result that fits perfectly with the Port of Rotterdam Authority's route,” explains Koelewijn, who adds that cooperation with BAM began even before the contract was awarded. “We were at the table early, in a competitive setting with other subcontractors, but with one goal: to figure out how the work could be done smarter. One example is the optimization in the application of the rubble foundation. It prevents duplication of work and provides a great efficiency gain. It is exactly this thinking along and transparent cooperation that often makes the difference for us.”
Much of the work WD Infra carries out is emission-free, thanks to the use of electric machines and electric hand tools. “Not every project lends itself to this, but the construction of a long bicycle connection does,” says Koelewijn. “Here we can maximize the use of electric equipment.” Meanwhile, WD Infra has completed the first 350 linear meters of the bicycle connection. “From February 2026 it will really go ‘full throttle’ and we will be active on the project nonstop until the end of the year.”
In parallel, element pavements will be installed in phases on and around the asphalt. “That includes traffic guides, constructed from leicon tires 30 centimeters high, set in mortar and provided with a solid concrete backing. Between spaces we fill in with weed-free clinker paving. In addition, we lay fire and access paths with grass concrete boulders in which grass can grow, and we apply low-maintenance pavement under the guard rails to which the steel structures will later be attached.”
WD Infra is VCA** certified, demonstrating that safety is structurally guaranteed. “Essential in a dynamic port environment,” Koelewijn believes. “In addition, we have the BRL 9334 certificate, with which we meet the highest quality standards for the installation of paving and street work. Our core business is the machine application of element paving, whether for industrial sites, residential areas or large infrastructure projects. Thanks to modern machinery and professionals who can work both mechanically and traditionally, we deliver speed, quality and reliability. Exactly what a project like this needs.”
