N69: sum of sustainability, innovativeness and professional environmental management

This not only gives Boskalis' main contractor plenty of room to excel as a full-service director, the approach also enables the company to introduce a number of sustainable innovations within the project framework. Initiatives whose success depends on extensive technical expertise and well-executed environmental management...

Boskalis' goal of reducing CO2 emissions in implementation compared to the original 20% plan has been more than achieved. So says Alex Keur, environment manager within Boskalis. "It is a result we are very happy with and underlies several great initiatives. One of these concerns the two semi-sunken layouts at Molenstraat and Broekhovenseweg. Whereas the Province of North Brabant initially planned to carry these out in a concrete construction, Boskalis' offer ultimately opted for a sustainable foil construction installed 7 meters below ground level in the dry."

A second sustainable-tinted project component is the energy-neutral road. Via solar cells in the sound barriers of the two stream valley bridges, energy is generated and supplied directly to the grid. 30% more energy is generated than is needed for all road-related facilities (road lighting and pumping systems).

The bicycle bridge over the Keersop River, made of the very environmentally friendly geopolymer concrete, is another example that underscores Boskalis' innovative strength. "After going through an extensive testing and design process, all signals are now green to actually start building this revolutionary prestressed bridge," Keur said.

Important pillar

Marijn Alders, working as environment manager on behalf of the Province of North Brabant, is equally enthusiastic: "We are very happy about the way Boskalis has taken up this challenge and has come up with very nice, new things. For something like this to succeed, both parties really have to go all the way. Only then will you reach the finish line." Both environmental managers agree that extensive technical expertise alone is not enough. The project also requires a broad, innovative view in the areas of contract management and risk management. In addition, environmental management is a very important and comprehensive pillar of this project. It has played a huge part in several respects during the realization of these sustainable initiatives, among others. Keur: "For example, by coordinating and monitoring the permit process and by proactively involving stakeholders in the work, listening to them and informing them. Regardless of whether it is a municipality, water board, standards committee or individual farmers. You have to work together, openly and within a continuous dialogue. Otherwise it remains sec a technical story. And without support you are stranded."

Alders fully agrees with Keur's words: "All those aspects came together in a beautiful way during this project. This project is therefore a textbook example of tiptop integral project management. We should all be proud of that."