Fluor welcomes new approach to Dutch road project

US-based contractor Fluor and its Dutch joint venture (JV) partner Ballast Nedam have been awarded a contract to design, build and maintain a major section of the A27 motorway in the Netherlands.

Fluor’s share of the contract will total €414 million.

The JV team will widen approximately 40km of the existing motorway, as well as extending it to form a future connection to the proposed Groote Haar business park in Gorinchem.

Within the scope of the contract, the team will also replace two motorway bridges and carry out repairs to the Hooipolder junction.

New approach to road construction

The contract, awarded by the Netherlands’ Ministry for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat), has a two-phase approach, with the project owners preparing the detailed design of the second phase, once the first phase of construction is underway.

Rijkswaterstaat and its development partner ALSÉÉN anticipate this leading to a more refined scope of work and a more predictable second phase for the project, as it will allow for more accurate site investigations and work packaging, plus more clarity in subcontract negotiations.

Shawn West, president of Fluor’s Infrastructure business, said, “Fluor has more than 20 years of experience designing, building and maintaining sustainable infrastructure projects in the Netherlands.

“This is the first project in the region to use a new two-phase approach between the joint venture and Rijkswaterstaat to limit project risks. We expect this unique approach to result in better project outcomes and a more stable execution phase for all parties.”

Construction on the motorway is scheduled to begin later this year, with completion expected between 2029 and 2031.