A multidisciplinary approach for the Gouwe Aqueduct
Mourik carried out complex maintenance work on the Gouwe Aqueduct, which is located under the A12 highway, with silt removal and pump management being a priority. What made this job even more challenging was the fact that it took place in a chamber under the highway. Specialists from various Mourik divisions joined forces to do the job efficiently and safely. The integrated approach ensures a smooth process and a successful, fast delivery.
Interaction between various areas of expertise
Intensive use of the aqueduct caused a thick layer of silt to accumulate in the basement over time. This silt layer, which in some cases is up to 70 cm thick, must be removed to optimize the flow of water and drainage so the pumps operate more efficiently. ‘This project was complex for several reasons. We had to constantly contend with water that was flowing in from the drains. In addition, the silt chambers under the highway are confined spaces, requiring additional safety measures. And the job had to be executed near a busy highway’, explains Edgar van der Meer, project manager at Mourik Infra. ‘That is why we opted for a phased approach, draining different sections of the chamber consecutively.’
This project is a good example of Mourik’s multidisciplinary approach. Mourik's Infrastructure division has a contract for the long-term maintenance of highways in Zuid-Holland Noord. The Industry division deployed two vacuum trucks with a pumping capacity of 6,000 m3/hr, while the experts at Mourik Techniek monitored and serviced the pumping installations. Erik de Jong, project manager at Mourik Industry stresses: ‘What I really liked about this project is how various disciplines at Mourik worked together seamlessly. The shared goals of safety, efficiency and job satisfaction really contributed to the project’s success.’
Theo Dubbeldam, who worked on the project for Mourik Techniek: ‘We are working together increasingly often and it is paying off. You know what you can expect from each other and can change tack very quickly. We work together more efficiently and the work is also more pleasant as a result.’
Longer lifespan and lower energy consumption
The maintenance project also has other benefits on the sustainability level. Theo: ‘A well-maintained chamber ensures that the pumps are more efficient, leading to energy savings because the pumps do not have to start up that often. Thanks to the silt removal and the revision of the pumps, they also last longer, with an expected lifespan extension of 10 to 15 years.’
What made this project even more special is that it was executed from A to Z by Mourik. ‘All the vehicles that were parked along the highway were Mourik vehicles’, says Edgar proudly. ‘This underscores our strength and the extent of cooperation within the company.’
The efficient execution also meant they finished much earlier than planned. ‘We packed up on Sunday afternoon at 2 pm on the second weekend, instead of finishing at midnight’, says Edgar. ‘We were able to reduce traffic disruptions as a result and the customer was also satisfied.’
‘What I really liked about this project is how various disciplines at Mourik worked together seamlessly. The shared goals of safety, efficiency and job satisfaction really contributed to the project’s success.’
