Zuid-Willemsvaart canal & hydraulic structures

Lievense is commissioned by the combination of contractors Besix/Martens and Van Oord to participate in a Design & Construct navigation channel project for the Dutch Ministry of Public Works (RWS). The present Zuid-Willemsvaart runs through the city of Den Bosch before it converges with the river Meuse.

To accommodate larger ships up to CEMT IV and to reduce congestion in the city a shipping bypass around the city is foreseen. The bypass consists of a new canal. Although taken out of the city centre the new canal stretch of 9 km will be excavated through a populated area.

For the tender submission Lievense designed:

• 9 km canal including bank/slope protection
• 6 bridges (local roads and motorways)
• 2 locks connecting the new canal with the
• existing canal, giving access to the Meuse
• 3 crossings with existing streams; the largest
• a siphon of 40m2 (size of motorway tunnel)

Lievense was also responsible for:

• technical management & integration of design (civil, mechanics, electric)
• set up of System Engineering (requirement & risk management, etc.)

Activities:

• D&C tender design:
• 9 km canal & slope protection
• 2 locks
• 6 bridges
• 3 siphons
• technical management
• system engineering