The Juliana Canal in Limburg is being widened and deepened. This is necessary to make this important shipping route suitable for larger ships (up to class Vb). The stretch between Berg aan de Maas and Born has been completely drained to realize the widening. We are carrying out this work in close cooperation with our client Rijkswaterstaat.
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.
Earlier this year the decision was made to carry out the already planned widening and deepening of the last kilometers of waterway in a blocked and dry channel. Immediately afterwards, we started working out a work plan together with Rijkswaterstaat. In the run-up to the blockage, various activities were carried out such as the supply of stones, setting up the work site and dredging the canal at Born lock. The supply of materials was also started immediately in order to be as prepared as possible for the blockage period.
Blockage period
Due to the preparations we want to keep the implementation period, and thus the blockage, as short as possible. During the entire construction period we are dependent on the weather conditions and the availability of people and equipment. By starting work in the generally drier summer period, conditions are most favorable for keeping the lead time as short as possible.
Intensive consultations with surrounding area
The implementation period, the shipping routes and the disruption will be discussed regularly with the partners involved, who often use the waterway for their operations. They will be inconvenienced by the stoppage for a longer period, but will be able to benefit from a waterway with greater capacity in the near future.
Intensive contact is always maintained with local residents. Several information meetings are planned throughout the project to inform them about the work.
Military operation
The execution of this special project is almost a military operation. With over 200 people and 120 machines, we are going to widen and deepen the canal in the shortest possible period of blockage. The width will increase from 45-60 meters to about 70 meters and the depth from -4 to -5 meters to -5.40 meters. To achieve this, a temporary dam will be installed, a transport bridge and a work road at the bottom of the dry canal.
We will process a total of about 400,000 tons of stone and 60,000 tons of gravel, in addition we will install about 420,000m2 of water inhibiting soil.