Yesterday marked the official start of the implementation phase of the IJsselmeerdijk Reinforcement project, a milestone in strengthening flood resilience in the Netherlands, Van Oord said.
Following months of preparation, studies and finalising plans, the IJsselmeerdijk Consortium (Van Oord and Boskalis) is now starting to make the project a reality, beginning with the construction of a foreshore.
A 12-km stretch along the largest (northern) section of the dyke is being sustainably reinforced with an innovative and environmentally friendly foreshore.
According to Van Oord, it consists of a dam with a shallow water and reedbed area behind it, creating favorable conditions for nature development. The foreshore ensures the dyke is flood-proof and enhances the local natural environment. This makes the project particularly unique, especially given its scale and the depth of the water at the foreshore site.
The remaining 5 km of the dyke will be reinforced with traditional dyke reinforcement measures, including raising the dyke and replacing the outer dyke revetment.
The works will start in Lake IJsselmeer with the construction of the foreshore, between the Maxima power station and the Ketelbrug bridge.
In early 2027, work will begin on the traditional dyke reinforcement measures on the existing dyke between Flevokust Haven and the Maxima power station.
This project is part of the joint task of the water boards and the national government to make the Netherlands flood-proof by 2050: the Flood Protection Programme (HWBP).