Dike reinforcement

Work is currently underway on “the largest dike reinforcement operation ever,” under the responsibility of the Rivierenland Water Board. Over a distance of 80 km, between Gorinchem and Tiel, the Waal dike is being reinforced, raised and made safer. Where necessary, sheet pile walls will be installed, up to 15 meters deep. To prevent leaks from occurring and to ensure that the entire process is vibration-free, Van Schie first drills deep holes in the ground and injects the dike with a mixture of bentonite, also known as ‘swelling clay’. Van Schie can call itself a specialist in this field. The drilling cranes that carry this out are often in the tightest of locations, such as in Herwijnen, literally in the pastor’s garden.