The new IJmuiden sea lock costs 64 million euros more

The new IJmuiden sea lock will certainly cost 64 million more than originally planned. This is what Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (VVD, Infrastructure and Water Management) writes in a letter to the House of Representatives on Monday. The cost overruns are the result of the setbacks and delays that the minister had already reported in July. She then announced that the opening of the lock should open in January 2022, 27 months later than expected.

For example, we found more objects in the ground than previously thought, such as cables and pipes, old bunkers and constructions. In addition, "design changes" needed to be made to avoid damage in the event of a collision. This included improvements in the operation and control of the lock. Now the minister writes that it costs an additional 27.5 million euros.

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This delay also ensures that the Noordersluis must remain open longer. The high-water barrier at the lock complex site should also be maintained longer. It costs 19 million euros. In addition, the Minister reserves 17.5 million euros to settle the "unforeseen problems and remaining risks" for the remaining duration of the project. Initially, the government would contribute 565 million euros.

It had already been reported that construction companies BAM and VolkerWessels had lost more than 200 million euros during the construction of the lock. The greenhouses of the lock doors were not strong enough and had to be redrawn. The minister has already clarified that companies would not be compensated for losses due to their own design flaws.