The centuries-old Boezemkade Gors Vurige Staart was deemed unstable due to its weak clay and peat subsoil. To ensure safety, Iv was commissioned by the Hollands Noorderkwartier District Water Board (HHNK) to prepare the dyke reinforcement.
Iv managed the project from the initial design to its execution. The dyke reinforcement spans 3 kilometres, running through both the urban area of Purmerend and the rural landscape between Purmerend and Ilpendam. In addition to strengthening the dyke, the project included the construction of high-speed cycling routes, improving commuter connections in the Amsterdam region.
The initial designs indicated that large support berms and steel sheet piling would be required for the dyke reinforcement. However, due to the limited space in the area—featuring buildings on and near the dyke, agricultural land use, and nature-friendly banks on the boezem side—these options were not suitable.
From the outset, new knowledge was gathered on the subsoil, water system, and geohydrological characteristics of the area to ensure the dyke reinforcement would integrate well with the existing environment. A settlement test was conducted on a plot in the rural area, measuring actual settlement behaviour and water pressures in the subsoil. This data was used to optimise the design, ultimately ruling out steel sheet piling and enabling the use of slimmer support berms.
By mapping the subsoil and water system more precisely, Iv was able to optimise the final design. The result: a more efficient design using fewer materials, making it both cost-effective and sustainable. Additionally, multiple solutions were integrated into a single project, combining dyke reinforcement, residential development in the Vurige Staart polder, and the construction of a high-speed cycling route.
Wouter, managing director Infra and also COO of Iv, would be delighted to discuss this with you! Get in touch via +31 88 943 3200 or send a message.