Princess Beatrix Lock Opens

The Dutch Princess Beatrix, in the presence of the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, officially opened the 3rd lock chamber Princess Beatrix Lock yesterday.

The project was successfully completed by the Sas van Vreeswijk consortium, including TDP NV (in partnership with investment companies TINC and DG Infra Yield), BESIX Group NV, RebelValley B.V., Heijmans Nederland B.V. and Jan De Nul NV.

The main goal of this development program is to improve passage for barges through the Lek Canal near Nieuwegein and to reduce waiting times at the Beatrix Lock.

The project included the construction of a third lock chamber, the renovation of the existing two lock chambers, the widening of the Lek Canal and the construction of lock approaches and berths in the canal.

During the work, around 2 million m³ of material was excavated, according to Jan De Nul.

The Lek Canal, which incorporates the Princess Beatrix Lock, connects the Amsterdam Rhine Canal to the Lek River, and is an important waterway between the ports of Rotterdam and Amsterdam.