Renovation of bridge installations in full swing

Work on the bridge in the town of Hoog Keppel started on 10 November. The work on this bridge will last until 24 November. The next object will be the bridge in the town of Laag Keppel.

Why this renovation?

The existing installations have functioned reliably for years but are technically outdated and no longer meet the current requirements in terms of safety, maintainability and cybersecurity. With the complete modernisation, we are creating a uniform and future-proof control environment. The new systems make central operation easier and smarter and increase the reliability of the entire area. We use the latest generations of PLC technology, industrial network components and user interfaces.

In operation as much as possible

Because these are existing bridges and locks, we ensure that they can remain in operation as much as possible and that the disruption to shipping and road traffic is minimal. We therefore convert the objects in phases and plan our work carefully, with extensive test and validation phases.

Conversion in phases

To ensure that the objects can be operated continuously, we plan the conversion of the objects in phases and connect them to a temporary control unit after completion of each phase. The temporary unit next to the existing control station in Doesburg will start operation on 1 December. The temporary situation will remain so until it is the turn of the Doesburg bridge lock itself for renovation. During the conversion of that object, we will also completely renovate the Doesburg control station. In the renewed station, we will place two new lecterns, to which all previously renovated objects will be connected. This will make Doesburg the modern heart of the service for the entire acreage. At a later stage, we will add the Doetinchem control station.

When the Doesburg control station is fully operational, we will also connect the last renovated objects to it. WWhen we have converted all the objects, we will start renovation of the second control station in Doetinchem. We will place one lectern at this station, which offers the same functionality as the control station in Doesburg.

National Bridges Standard

The entire operating system is based on the Dutch National Bridges Standard (LBS), which means that the new systems meet uniform national guidelines for safety, operation and maintenance.

In the final situation, all 11 objects can be fully operated from both control stations.

Electrical engineering

Our work is comprehensive, and we can put our integral electrical engineering knowledge and experience to good use. What we do, among other things:

• Realisation of a common control system
• Renewal of the control installations, audio and CCTV communication
• Renewal of the electrical installations
• Improving the safety circuits
• Replacing the movement of the Oude IJssel Bridge
• Setting up the new control station(s) at the control stations in Doesburg and Doetinchem
• Linking the Oude IJssel railway bridge in combination with the Saap Roelofs bridge (which is managed by ProRail)
• Unbundling of the current installations, so that the transition to the new control system can take place in phases and safely
• Improving the accessibility/maintainability of the electrical installation of the Terborg bridge
• Application of the National Bridges Standard, with which the new systems meet uniform national guidelines for safety, operation and maintenance
• Delivery of a complete technical file, including all documents related to machine safety. This means that all components, software and schematics are fully documented and traceable for future management and maintenance
• Supervising the commissioning of the new control by the Water Board

Since 1 January 2025 until the completion of the project, we have also been responsible for the management and maintenance of the objects and the adapted parts.