Benthem Crouwel Completes Eight-Year Revamp of Afsluitdijk with Fish Passage and Cycle Route
After eight years of extensive renovation, the Dutch firm Benthem Crouwel has finalized its work on the Afsluitdijk, a 32-kilometre-long dam constructed between 1927 and 1932. In collaboration with BAM, Van Oord, Rebel, and Invesis since 2018, the project fortifies the dam using 75,000 Levvel-blocs, elevates its height by two metres, and introduces six pumping stations, extra sluices, storm surge barriers, a 15-metre-wide fish passage, and a cycling path. The pumps can expel 275,000 litres of water each second. The dam is now equipped to endure a storm with a probability of occurring once in 10,000 years while preserving its distinctive appearance. The fish passage enhances ecological connectivity, and a maintenance team will manage the site for 25 years. Photography by Jannes Linders.
Key facts
- Afsluitdijk is a 32-kilometre dam built between 1927 and 1932 to protect the Netherlands from North Sea storm surges.
- Benthem Crouwel has been developing the revamp since 2018 with BAM, Van Oord, Rebel, and Invesis.
- The dam was reinforced with 75,000 interlocking concrete blocks called Levvel-blocs and raised by two metres.
- Six pumping stations in four-metre-high domes were added, with pumps discharging 275,000 litres per second.
- A 15-metre-wide fish passage reconnects the IJsselmeer and Wadden Sea for migratory fish.
- A cycle and pedestrian route with viewpoint platforms was added on the Wadden Sea side.
- The overhaul ensures the dam can withstand a one-in-10,000-year storm, according to Benthem Crouwel.
- The maintenance group will oversee the project for 25 years.
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Jongtien
- Jannes Linders
Institutions
- Benthem Crouwel
- BAM
- Van Oord
- Rebel
- Invesis
- Dezeen
Locations
- Netherlands
- Afsluitdijk
- North Sea
- Zuiderzee
- IJsselmeer
- Wadden Sea
- Denmark
- Sydney
Sources
- Dezeen —