Project company Sas van Vreeswijk (SPC) announced Thursday the financial close of a chamber and canal project for a net present value of around €133 million.
To create Sas van Vreeswijk, which takes its name from the historical connection between locks, skippers and local residents, TDP NV and investment companies TINC and DG Infra Yield partnered with BESIX Group NV, RebelValley B.V., Heijmans Nederland B.V. and Jan De Nul NV, a subsidiary of the Jan De Nul Group. The financing requirement of the project, 'Construction 3rd lock chamber Princess Beatrix Lock and widening Lek Canal', totals an approximate €184 million. The BFM contract was signed by the Directorate-General of Public Works and Water Management, or 'Rijkswaterstaat', and Sas van Vreeswijk on 15 January 2016.
The project forms part of Rijkswaterstaat's aim to faciliate the passage of barges through the lek canal near Nieuwegein and reduce waiting times at the Beatrix Lock. To achieve this, a third lock chamber will be constructed, the two existing lock chambers renovated, the Lek Canal widened and lock approaches and berths in the canal established.
The Lek Canal acts as the connecting point between the Amsterdam Rhina Canal and the Lek River, and therefore represents an important waterway between the ports of the Netherlands' two largest cities, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
The completion of the construction works is expected for 2019, when the 27-year maintenance period will start.
Photo by Sas van Vreeswijk
