Residents were the very first to go on an excursion on ‘their’ new dike in Hoorn this afternoon. Because the Westerdijk, between Schouwburg het Park and Visserseiland, has been reopened after the dyke improvement. And thus safe for the next fifty years.
Just like on a real museum tour, everyone was given headphones. After the official opening in Schouwburg Het Park, administrators and residents took to the dike, with umbrellas at the ready. 150 people were invited, the majority of whom – well packed – ventured onto the dike. In groups they walked past different bases, where something was told about the reinforcements.
Three points were made about how the whole thing worked. From the archaeological background, the approach to the work and the story behind the ‘recreational balcony’ – the former extinguishing dam – where a poem by city poet Levi Noë can be read in the ground.
A berm has been constructed outside the existing dike to strengthen the dike. With a new walking and cycling path. The existing footpath that runs over the dike has been preserved and repaved. The bathing jetty has been renovated and is now also accessible for the disabled.
4200 trucks with sand
The task of executing everything on time, safely and according to plan was rrealization manager Robert van ‘t Riet of Alliantie Markermeerdijken. And it succeeded, even though there was a lot involved. “To make it workable, we supplied about 75,000 cubic meters of sand, which is about 4,200 trucks, all by water.”
But that wasn’t the only thing. “Too 10,000 cubic meters of clay and 4,000 square meters of basalton (concrete version of natural stone, ed.) and together two kilometers of concrete belt to surround the whole.”
“This is what we are known for in the world”
It makes Alderman Arthur Helling van Hoorn proud. “The dyke improvement we are currently working on between Hoorn and Amsterdam, that is what we are known for in the world. And that gives pride. And I hope that is also the case with you – as Horineese or Hoornaar -“, said he to the residents. “I was born here myself and have known the dike since childhood and yes, it has changed considerably. I hope that we will all say later: that change is in keeping with the times and adds something.”
A few things are still going to happen. Among other things, the stairs at the theater will be removed to prevent nuisance. Grass is sown there with a concrete edge at the bottom. The combined cycling and walking path along the water is now open as far as Schouwburg het Park, the dividing line between the walking and cycling part still has to wear in. “It is still black at the moment, but as time goes on it becomes a clear distinction due to different types of asphalt,” explains Van ‘t Riet.
As soon as the city beach is ready, it will be connected to the cycle path and walking path on the city beach.