Making meters for specialist in cables and pipes

Wolfshaar Infra knows the A1 inside out. Ever since the first phase, the company from Amersfoort has been laying fiber optic and low voltage cables for Heijmans along the entire route. In addition, all old cables and pipes are carefully traced and removed. 

Even before the start of the project, Wolfshaar Infra first set up the construction site. "We installed light poles and camera masts, buried the fiber optic and low-voltage cables to the bulkhead shack, and provided charging points with cable for charging the electric equipment," says Martijn Lagerwerf, foreman at Wolfshaar Infra. "After all, most of the project will be done with electric equipment." Martijn also still marvels at the way the project is being approached. "Never before have I seen such an extensive emission-free fleet of machinery together with large crawler cranes, mobile cranes and electric trucks. We also limit our footprint, as we run exclusively on HVO 100 biofuel."

Detection and removal

Since November 2022, Wolfshaar Infra has been working outside on the A1. "We mapped the existing situation of the cables and pipes based on old drawings, dug trial trenches and measured everything," explains Martijn. "Furthermore, at the location of the structures being widened, we also traced and documented all cables and pipes. We also determined the exact location and situation of a number of casing pipes under the A1. Based on that information, Heijmans was able to optimize the design." Cables and pipes that will no longer be used in the new situation will be carefully removed by Wolfshaar Infra. "We also dismantle the old light poles and power supply boxes," says Wolfshaar Infra.

Many dozens of kilometers

The entire section of the A1 motorway between Apeldoorn and Twello will then be fitted with new fiber optic and low-voltage cables by Wolfshaar Infra, among other things to control the signaling devices and public lighting. "It involves a total of about 15 kilometers, and that both there and back. Add to that the slip roads and stretches of median strip and we are talking about many dozens of kilometers," Martijn acknowledges. "A project like this with many long straights is right up our alley. We are good at it. And Heijmans feels the same way, because otherwise you wouldn't be asked again for a second phase. In between, we have also been active on other Heijmans projects. The cooperation is extremely pleasant. We now know each other through and through, and that pays off."

Martijn expects Wolfshaar Infra to be on the A1 project at least until the end of the year. "We have plenty to do for now," he says.