Nadkong barrier upgrade

Dutch engineering consultancy DHV, working with Korean engineer Yooshin and contractor Samsung Engineering & Construction, has designed a new € 125 million (US$ 180 million) flood barrier for the Nakdong River in South Korea.

The new barrier will extend the existing structure on the edge of the port city of Busan. It will be more than 300 m long, with a 100 m central span and its main purpose is to protect against flooding by improving the river's drainage characteristics.

DHV project director Wim Klomp said, "The flood threat in Korea doesn't come from the sea, but from the rivers themselves. This means that the barrier's curvature is turned toward the sea." He added, "Because of climate change and sedimentation in the river's feeder channels, there is a need for extra drainage capacity."

The client is K-water, which is part of the Korean directorate for public works and water management. Construction is due to start this year, with completion scheduled for mid-2012.