Flood protection is one of the highest priorities for Rijkswaterstaat. That is why the government is investing heavily in future-proofing our hydraulic infrastructure, such as the seven weirs in the Limburg Meuse. In 2023, Mourik Infra started the large-scale maintenance of the weirs, with the construction of this new weir crane as the latest milestone. Inge: “The crane was due for a replacement in every way. The technology was outdated and operating the old crane was labor-intensive and unsafe. The operators had to stand on the weir bridge, without railings, directly above the swirling water. Now, the crane can be operated from the cabin and from the building on the shore.” Mourik has handled projects like this many times before, but according to Inge, it never becomes routine: “In Roermond, for example, the water can rise so high that the entire site ends up meters underwater. You have to be able to anticipate that at any moment. And there is never any room for delay, because you simply have to be ready at the start of the high-water season. The fact that we can handle that pressure well is what makes Mourik unique, I think: we love technical challenges and can switch gears quickly.” 

Making a contribution
“I was raised to work hard and to finish what you start. I think you need that mindset to succeed at Mourik. It works well for me. My job is truly my passion. I love the combination of technology, environment, and safety. I find weirs the most challenging: the force of the water, the pressure to get everything done on time. You have to take everything into account. Unfortunately, I have also seen things go wrong, like when an overflow dam collapsed causing a houseboat to break loose, which eventually drifted into a bridge. The damage was enormous, but what stuck with me most was that the residents lost their home due to the power of the water. Moments like that make you realize how important water safety really is, and how wonderful it is that you can contribute to it.”

Learning every day from the ‘hassle’
“When I’m working on a project, my focus is naturally on that project. I’m not consciously thinking about strategy or core values. But they’re always there in the background: you don’t each other hanging, and you always make sure the job gets done. That’s just Mourik. I also see my work as part of a bigger picture. Innovation and sustainability should simply be a part of every project, not something extra on the side. Everyone working on projects can contribute to that. We are Mourik’s eyes and ears: we hear what’s going on and see what’s happening. We can give feedback to make the work safer, more sustainable, and better in the future. Of course, I sometimes grumble when something unexpected happens or there’s trouble with a permit. But we also learn from that kind of ‘hassle’ every day. Everything you encounter at work, even if you find it difficult, is a learning moment for the future.”