Major dyke strengthening completed after flood defence works

The works were done by Van Oord between the Hansweert lock complex and the Kapellebank tidal flat to upgrade defences to meet updated Dutch flood safety standards to withstand more severe storm conditions.

It involved raising sections of the dyke crest by up to three metres and widening embankments by about 15 metres to improve resilience against rising water levels and storm surges. The reinforced dyke is intended to strengthen long-term flood protection for communities and infrastructure in Zeeland, a low-lying coastal province highly exposed to sea level rise.

Engineering work was complicated by the project’s constrained location: the dyke sits between the Western Scheldt estuary and the centre of Hansweert village, leaving limited room for construction activity and requiring a tailored design and delivery approach. Additional restrictions stemmed from the site’s location within a protected Natura 2000 area, requiring environmental considerations to be integrated into construction planning.

Sustainability measures formed a central part of the programme. Project teams used electric and hybrid construction equipment, including electric cranes and an electric excavator. Materials were transported by water whenever possible.

The project also focused on material reuse. Contractors worked with the regional water authority to develop a soil quality map, allowing excavated material to be reused efficiently within the project boundary rather than transported elsewhere. According to project stakeholders, this approach reduced waste and limited additional transport requirements.

“By reinforcing this dyke, we’re making sure that the people it protects will be able to live and work safely here in the future,” said Gert van Kralingen, executive director of the Scheldestromen water board. “We did this on time and on budget in cooperation with the local community and our partners.”

“This project shows what you can achieve when you truly work together from day one,” Jan Pols, director of Hydraulic Engineering, KWS. “Under challenging circumstances, we have worked on a dyke that is ready for the future, with an eye for safety, sustainability, and the environment.”