In the spring of 2024, the decision was made to carry out the already planned widening and deepening of the last kilometers of waterway in the blocked and dry Julianakanaal. Immediately afterwards, Rijkswaterstaat and construction partner Van den Herik started working out a work plan. In the weeks ahead of the blockage, we are already carrying out various activities such as supplying stones, setting up the work site and dredging the canal at Born lock.

There is a thick layer of silt on the canal bottom near Born lock. To remove the silt we will start dredging work on Monday, June 10. Shipping will remain possible and can pass the floating work pontoon at an adjusted speed. By removing this silt now, deepening will be easier later. The supply of materials is also in full swing in order to be as prepared as possible for the stoppage period.

Blockage period
With this type of preparation, Van den Herik and Rijkswaterstaat want to keep the implementation period, and thus the blockage, as short as possible. During the entire implementation period we are dependent on the weather and the availability of people and equipment (which has been a challenge in the current market for some time). By starting the work already in the (expected) drier summer period, conditions are most favorable to keep the lead time as short as possible. With this we are fulfilling the pervasive desire of the surrounding area. In addition, we will also end the current unsafe situation with the broken construction pit and the leakage of canal water into the nature in the vicinity sooner.

Intensive consultations with surrounding area
Regular consultations about the implementation period, the diversion routes and the disruption will take place with the partners involved, who often use the waterway for their business operations. They will be inconvenienced by this blockage for a longer period of time. We realize that the concerns of the business community, shipping industry and shippers about the planned stoppage on August 12 have not yet been fully addressed. Further consultations are planned for the further management of a number of risks. There are also still questions about the compensation scheme. We are continuing intensive discussions with the surrounding area in order to eliminate concerns as much as possible in the period up to the stoppage.

Consultation with local residents also intensified as work began. two information meetings were scheduled in the summer to inform them about the work.

Waterway with greater capacity
The Juliana Canal is being widened for shipping. To make this possible, several works have been successfully carried out previously. During the widening of the section between Berg and Obbicht, the last section still on the schedule, use was made of a construction pit that shipping could pass through via a narrow lane. Due to the soil conditions of the canal on this stretch, the cofferdam collapsed and the widening work was halted last year. With this go-around, the widening will still be completed and water-related businesses and the shipping industry will be able to benefit from a waterway with greater capacity in the future.