Integral collaboration at The Entrance of Amsterdam

Commissioned by the municipality of Amsterdam, the area in front of Amsterdam Central Station is being renewed. As a partner of main contractor Max Bögl, Beens Groep is realizing various parts of this complex piece of infrastructure work. Beens Groep is a nationally operating hydraulic engineering company and a specialist in constructive hydraulic engineering and dredging for more than 60 years. 

Karst-Jan Beens, general manager of Beens Group says, "Among other things, we provide the construction of new quays and temporary jetties for the canal boats. The dredging work is carried out by subsidiary Beens Dredging. And we are placing the sheet piling construction for the bicycle parking facility below the water level. At the end of this large-scale project, we will install the final jetties. Very nice that all disciplines of Beens Group are addressed within this project."

Communication with all stakeholders essential
It is a challenge to work in the busiest area of Amsterdam, where there are many people, streetcars, shipping and many stakeholders. Fred Groot, Wet Infra project manager: "It is also busy under the water surface. This is where the new North/South line and many cables and pipes are located. It is a complex operation in which communication with all stakeholders is essential." 

From left to right Gijs Methorst (Beens Dredging business manager) - Fred Groot (Wet Infra project manager) - Gert Beens (hydraulic contractor) - Karst-Jan Beens (Beens Group general manager).

Realization of new quay structures.

Gert Beens, superintendent of Hydraulic Engineering, explains that the supply of equipment and materials is a complex operation due to the low bridges as an example. "The Beens cranes are partially dismantled and transported to the construction site in parts in hopper barges. In this way, we are also immediately meeting the wishes of the City of Amsterdam." The Amsterdam Vaart program aims for cleaner and smarter city logistics, looking at the possibilities of construction transport by water. Gijs Methorst, Beens Dredging business manager, explains one of the challenges in the dredging work: "A large part of the Prins Hendrikkade is being excavated. This will enlarge the water of the Open Harbour Front. We need to get the entire amount of excavated soil out of the city via the water. Complicated, because of all the other shipping, but not impossible! It requires a different approach than being exclusively executive. Thinking along with the problems and offering opportunities and challenges to the project team as a whole, that is where our strength lies."

From the water, the hydraulic engineering works are carried out.

Creating temporary facilities for the shipping companies was necessary so that the water is free for construction.

Circular application of soil
"We also look at how to work in the most environmentally friendly way possible. We always make an effort to do that. In this project, for example -in addition to transporting construction materials over water- the soil is being applied circularly to other projects in the neighborhood. Thus, the enormous amount of excavated soil is once again given a useful purpose."

Maintaining the functionality of the area while carrying out the work and causing as little inconvenience as possible is the task. "You don't want to disrupt the rhythm of the city." For the project as a whole to be successful, it is important that all facets are perfectly coordinated. Everyone has their own tasks but joint effort is needed to get the job done right. "Beens Groep is the partner who works and thinks together integrally, in a construction team or as a partner, and always from start to finish," concludes Karst-Jan Beens.  

Getting the entire amount of excavated soil out of the city by water is quite a challenge.