Today, as the Dutch flood season begins, the renewed Afsluitdijk is officially opened, marking an important milestone in strengthening the Netherlands' resilience to future water challenges, Van Oord said.
Together with its partners in the Levvel - project Afsluitdijk consortium, BAM Nederland and Rebel, and in close collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat, Van Oord helped transform one of the country's most important water management structures into a future-proof flood defenze system.
The extensive modernization program has strengthened 32.5 kilometers of dike, increased water discharge capacity, introduced new pumps, sluices and hydraulic structures, and integrated innovative and sustainable solutions that will help protect the Netherlands for decades to come, Van Oord said.
"The Afsluitdijk also demonstrates the value of long-term investment in the renewal, maintenance and strengthening of critical infrastructure, ensuring it continues to serve society for generations to come. Moreover, it’s a great example of how water safety, climate adaptation, innovation and nature development can be intertwined. From the Fish Migration River to the installation of 75,000 Levvel-blocs, every element was designed with future generations in mind," Van Oord concluded.