The project team delivered a final design for the nourishment at the end of 2024. What is on the project teams agenda for 2025? It will take another 1.5 years before we can start execution.
1.5 years may still sound long, but a lot needs to happen behind the scenes to be able to start on time.
End of Planning Phase
For the planning team, the end result is the final design. This has been approved by the Steering Group Zandhonger Oosterschelde. Now a few more months are needed for other completions. Preparing internal audits, finalizing the permit applications, and concretizing the wishes of stakeholders for the realization phase are the important matters that are still ongoing. It seems that this team will be busy until summer.
Before summer, the steering group PAGW (Programmatic Approach Large Waters) will give advice and a MIRT3 project decision to the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management regarding the final design and the condition (planning, permits, budget) of the project team to proceed to the realization phase.
Start Preparation for Realization
Directly in the new year, the realization team has started to be set up. This team consists of specialists for the work that needs to be done in the realization phase. To put a clear assignment on the market, the contract requirements are now being drafted. Here, it is a puzzle to set concrete requirements while also allowing contractors the space to apply their own experiences and techniques in executing the work.
When drafting the contract requirements, the wishes from the environment and from the necessary permits also play a role. Think of preventing effects on the surrounding mussel plots and nitrogen-reducing measures.
Tender Process
According to the planning, the tender process will start in July 2025. The assignment will then go to the market, where contractors can submit a bid. Subsequently, a blind choice will be made based on selection criteria. The blind choice means that it is not known in advance which contractor made which offer. Fair enough. The process also consists of various steps that must proceed according to the procurement legislation.
If everything goes according to plan, a contractor (or consortium of contractors) will be chosen by early 2026 and will need time to prepare the specific work method. Such as an execution schedule but also an execution design.