Heijmans joins consortium for Dutch canal project

Dutch-based Heijmans will be part of a consortium formed by the Besix Group, RebelValley and TDPartners for the third chamber of the Beatrix Lock, and the widening of the Lek Canal PPP project, In Holland.

Following the contract closing of the public-private partnership, Heijmans will be given a one third share in the special purpose company (SPC). In addition, Heijmans will be involved in the long-term maintenance. Financial close is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2016.

Rijkswaterstaat, the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management, wants to improve the passage through the Lek Canal near Nieuwegein, and reduce waiting times at the Beatrix Lock for inland waterway vessels.

The project includes the construction of a third sluice chamber, the widening of the Lek Canal and the construction of lock approaches and berths in the canal.

The project will be executed as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with a DBFM contract, whereby the design, new construction, financing and maintenance will be in the hands of a private party for an extended period of time.

Work is expected to begin in September 2016. The third chamber of the Beatrix Lock and the widened Lek Canal will be completed in 2019, after which the 27-year maintenance period will go into effect, Heijmans said.