The Level consortium will strengthen the Dutch "Afsluitdijk". This joint venture is formed by Van Oord Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners BV, BAM PPP PGGM Infrastructure Coöperatie UA, and RebelValley BV.
The contract was awarded by Rijkswaterstaat, which is part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and responsible for the design, construction, management and maintenance of the main infrastructure facilities in the Netherlands.
EUR 550 Million Project
Levvel will be responsible for design, build, finance and 25 years of maintenance of the strengthened Afsluitdijk. Construction works are expected to start in the autumn of 2018. In 2023, works on the Afsluitdijk will be completed. The net present value of the project is approximately EUR 550 million.
Withstanding Storms
Levvel has based its tender on managing risks, using opportunities, sustainability (sustainable construction and energy neutral) and smart use of proven technology. After the Afsluitdijk has been reinforced, it can withstand a storm which happens once in every 10,000 years.
Drainage Capacity
At the same time, the drainage capacity, which now consists solely of natural flow, will be expanded with new pumps. Levvel’s discharge solution consumes as little energy as possible: ‘Natural discharge if possible, pumping if necessary.’ This way, in the future, sufficient water can be drained from the IJsselmeer to the Wadden Sea in all weather conditions.
For the construction of the new pumps and the extra discharge capacity, the existing monumental "Spuisluizen" (drainage locks) in Den Oever remain completely intact and will be renovated. Levvel is to strengthen the dyke with innovative concrete elements.
Plastic Floodgate
The innovative character of the project is also shown in the application of a floodgate of fiber-reinforced plastic in the fish migration river. In addition, the highway A7 will become safer by widening the emergency lanes.
Levvel's design also pays attention to recreation and ecology, through construction of a cycle path on the Wadden Sea
side along the entire length of the Afsluitdijk, ecological facilities along the dyke and fish-friendly pumps.
Heritage of Lely
Michèle Blom, director general of Rijkswaterstaat: ‘Rijkswaterstaat is looking forward to working with Levvel. Levvel has created a smart and robust design that honors the heritage of Lely (the civil engineer and statesman, who was responsible for turning the former Zuiderzee in the IJsselmeer and for reclaiming a vast area of new land).’
The Afsluitdijk has been an example of Dutch marine engineering for decades. The 32 km long dam protect large parts of the Netherlands since 1932 against flooding from the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer. After more than 85 years, the dyke is in need of renewal.
Rijkswaterstaat has assessed Levvel’s tender on the basis of EMVI criteria (Economically Most Advantageous Tender) as 'best value for money'.
Levvel Consortium
The Levvel consortium consists of Van Oord (with Aberdeen/APG, 46%), BAM (with PGGM, 46%) and Rebel (8%). The name Levvel is based on the Dutch abbreviation for "Lely's Heritage Secured" in palindrome. In addition, the name refers to the water level management of the IJsselmeer and the turning of high water, two important functions of the Afsluitdijk.
