Concrete threshold for storm surge barrier to Nieuwpoort earlier than planned

Two tugs towed the pontoon across the Scheldt and by sea to the port of Ostend. There, the threshold is hooked to a crane on a second pontoon. To limit the weight to be lifted, the pontoon is sunk so that the sill is completely submerged. For example, the second pontoon only has to lift 1,210 tons instead of the total 4,500 tons.

Close harbor channel during storm surge

Due to the favorable weather forecasts, the colossus can already start its journey towards Nieuwpoort on Wednesday evening, instead of tomorrow. Departure is scheduled around 8 pm. The transport would enter Nieuwpoort on Thursday morning at 2 o’clock. Then the colossus is finally lowered between the two abutments and the threshold still has to be fixed.

Divers are present during the entire process in Nieuwpoort to check whether the installation is going well. “We keep a close eye on the weather forecasts, because the crossing is only possible with wave heights of up to 0.75 meters. If the forecasts are unfavorable, there is a chance that the Marine Warranty Surveyor will not allow the crossing,” it said. the Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services.

The intention is for the storm surge barrier to close off the harbor channel during storm surges so that the water cannot flow into the harbor and the hinterland.