The Port of Amsterdam recently released the latest update on the IJmuiden Sea Lock Project.
In its update for May, the port said that the new fendering system between the Middle Lock and the new sea lock will be completed this month, ending closures of the Middle Lock.
The lock gate chambers of the inner and outer head continue to grow in height and the builders are also working at the lock chamber walls.
Lock gate chambers are still growing in height
As the lock gate chambers continue to grow, an additional crane is be installed soon at the lock gate chamber of the inner head to get all the reinforcement steel into place.
The lock gate chamber of the outer head grows faster in height than that of the inner head, because it has been designed for only one lock gate and therefore has less surface area.
By the end of May, the rear wall of the inner head will be at its highest point before the complete structure will be sunk this summer. The structure will sink from 5 meters below to 22 meters below NAP.
Construction work on the lock chamber walls
A series of construction activities on the future lock chamber walls are being carried this May, including the application of a smooth finish to the surface of the walls, the installation of anchor beams and the drilling of anchors.
The port also added that another two meters of concrete will be poured on top of the anchor beams. The top of the concrete walls will then be finished by a smooth rounded steel cover slab. This way, the lock chamber walls are gradually taking their final shape.