The consortium De Groene Waarden, a combination between BESIX, Mobilis and partners Van Gelder, Mourik Infra and BESIX Infra Nederland, have been provisionally awarded the contract for the renewal and widening of the A27 highway between the Dutch cities Houten and Everdingen, south of Utrecht. The provisional award was made by Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Over the years, the highway between Houten and Hooipolder has become increasingly congested with heavier traffic. On weekdays, more than 100,000 vehicles a day pass this congested stretch of road. The stretch between Houten and Everdingen, which is 7 km long, will be widened to 4 lanes in the southern direction. In the northern direction, the two lanes and a rush-hour lane are being retained. In addition, one bridge (Hagesteinsebrug) will be renewed and another one (Houtensebrug) widened. The renewed bridge will also include a bicycle connection. The project is expected to be delivered between 2029 and 2031.
“The award marks an important step in tackling congestion on the A27 highway. We already awarded a first part previously, which concerned the southern part between Everdingen and Hooipolder. Now, we are happy that we can also add the northern part (between Houten and Everdingen). It means we can tackle this important thoroughfare across its whole length. Both the environment and the road users will profit from this rehabilitation, as it creates a better traffic flow on the highway itself, but also less cut-through traffic on the surrounding local roads. This will benefit the general road safety”, says Director-General of Rijkswaterstaat Michèle Blom.
Approach in two phases
The award involves a Design & Build contract and adopts a particular approach divided in two phases. This approach is part of the collaboration programme developed by Rijkswaterstaat in which the autorities work together with the various players on the market to create a more vital, innovative and productive infrastructure sector. Thanks to this approach, risks and uncertainties are better divided over Rijkswaterstaat and the contractor for complex infrastructure projects, like the A27. This results in a higher level of control and a more stable construction phase. 70 % of the project follows this approach, including most of the civil works and the bridges.
“We are looking forward to building a pleasant collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat and the other partners of consortium in the coming years. The two-phased approach that we establish together with Rijkswaterstaat enables us to manage the risks better and spread them in a fair way. This in turn will contribute to a successful infrastructure sector and a more predictable project progression. It offers opportunities to embed the widening of the A27 between Houten and Everdingen in the environment in a vital, safe and sustainable way.” – Nic De Roeck, General Director BESIX Nederland.
The definite award for the A27 Houten-Everdingen project is expected for 4 April 2023.
More information about the project can be found on www.a27houtenhooipolder.nl