Dutch Involved in Flood Protection Barrier

In The Netherlands, where 60% of the land lies below sea level, this swinging barrier protects the hinterland at Rotterdam against flooding. In addition a highway is to be placed over the full length of the barrier (image above, DHV), completing the ring road around the city of St. Petersburg. Engineering consultancy DHV, in association with international partners, was commissioned in 2003 to complete the USD1.2 billion project.

Challenging

Ben Reeskamp, director of Ports and Waterways at DHV says that "Like the extension of the Panama Canal, this is one of the most complex and challenging construction projects in the world. It has everything in it: dams, sluice complexes, movable barriers, a movable bridge, and a tunnel. As an extra complication, the barrier must be able to operate well under extremely severe winter weather conditions."

Safety

DHV bore main responsibility for the complex maritime and hydraulic engineering elements within and within an international consortium including British Halcrow, Norwegian Norplan, and Russian subcontractor Lenhydroproject. The new flood surge barrier offers protection against extreme water levels in the Gulf of Finland. St. Petersburg, which was built 300 years ago in the middle of a marsh area, risks flooding whenever a serious storm rages in the Gulf of Finland. Large parts of the city's center are situated just two metres above normal water levels, making them extra vulnerable to flooding.

History

The first plans for the construction of a flood protection barrier date back to 1923. The Russians began construction of the project in 1979, but activities were suddenly brought to a halt in 1988 because of their supposed negative environmental impact. In 1996, when the authorities wished to restart the project, the EBRD offered to finance it on the condition that the activities involved be put out to international tender.

In October 2003, the consortium became responsible for the design, tendering, and all the design issues during the construction phase. Over this period DHV bore particular responsibility for the complex maritime structures, dams, and tunnel constructions. DHV is proud of the role it has been privileged to play in this jewel of maritime and hydraulic engineering.

EKO Flood USA, LLC Heinz Munz, President and Chief Executive Officer To whom it may concern: It is my pleasure to introduce you to EKO Flood USA, a removable flood barrier system. We invite you and your staff to spend a few minutes at our website www.ekofloodusa.com We believe our aesthetic and environmentally sensitive barrier design meets many current flood mitigation needs and requirements in view of persistent flooding and wet weather conditions. I would appreciate any comments and suggestions you may have. Sincerely, EKO Flood USA, LLC Heinz Munz, President and Chief Executive Officer Heinz@ekofloodusa.com heinz munz eko flood usa - 01/03/2009 - 21:52