Out of the box thinking in the context of security

In modifications to road network around Wezep

Commissioned by the province of Gelderland, work is underway on a new connection of Wezep and business park H2O to the A28 motorway. The project is being executed by main contractor Gebr. Van der Lee. BUKO Infrasupport is providing all traffic facilities to realize this new connection.

"It is quite special that the province chose a RAW specification for this project instead of a regular tender," says Robin Koelewijn, Project Manager Traffic Measures Region Northeast at BUKO Infrasupport. "That's why it was important for us to prepare very well and find out as much as possible about this project in advance, even before the specifications went to market."

Safety

"As BUKO Infrasupport, we fulfill only a small aspect within such a large project, but a very important one," Koelewijn continued. "BUKO was chosen because we score high on safety. In addition, we actively think along in project-specific solutions and are very strong communicatively, in our safety substantiation, among other things."

Solution-oriented thinking

"As with any project, there are challenges where it is important to think out of the box in terms of safety." Koelewijn mentions the guide barrier. "As soon as you put a vision screen on this, the type approval is no longer valid. Both a vision screen and the barrier are requirements from the specifications and the CROW, though. So we came up with a project-specific solution: construction fencing along the asphalt with an anti-visibility screen. It meets all the requirements: this way the traffic is not distracted by the work and can drive here quietly and safely. It is not only the safest option, but also cheaper than the initial plan. And that, of course, is quite exceptional!" For the barrier, BUKO came up with another solution: "It had to include a refuge and there had to be an emergency passage, since you are at a busy traffic junction. So we recommended putting down two strands instead of one, with the straight-standing strand along the work area and the second strand starting behind the barrier. This creates an intermediate space that can serve as an emergency passageway."

Understanding is crucial

In addition to the project-specific solutions, BUKO is fully engaged in traffic information prior to the route and during the work. "It's bizarre how much you have to inform at a junction like this, from various angles," says Koelewijn. "But awareness beforehand and understanding during the work can be life-saving. So we are deploying DRIPS (Dynamic Route Information Panel) during the weekend closure and there are temporary detours and text vans on the road to inform traffic correctly and in advance. Of course, these traffic measures are also included in Melvin, the system in which municipal, emergency, and emergency services can see where work is taking place and which can be optimally coordinated."

With these types of traffic measures -which are also constructed in a systematic way- you create the greatest possible safety for the people working there as well as for the road users driving past those works. "And not to mention the people who are setting up and dismantling the traffic measures." Koelewijn would like to conclude by thanking contractor Gebr. Van der Lee: "For the pleasant cooperation and the trust they placed in BUKO."