Eefde lock and the power of cooperation

At the edge of the Gelderland village of Eefde lies one of the most important links in the Dutch waterways: Eefde Lock. This lock complex forms the gateway from the Twente Canal to the IJssel River, making it essential for both inland navigation and water safety in the region. Especially at high water, the complex plays a critical role: "Without this lock, Deventer would be under water within five minutes," said Ali Akdogan, who is closely involved in the coordination and work preparation of the complex on behalf of BENK PROJECTS.

 

From monument to modernization

The original lock dates from 1933 and is now a national monument. Its location is strategic: economic, ecological and hydraulic interests converge here. But after almost a century of intensive use, the pressure on capacity increased. Larger ships, more transport and changing climate conditions made it clear that the lock was in need of a thorough overhaul and expansion.

New lock, double the capacity

A second lock was commissioned by the Department of Public Works and was officially put into operation in 2020. This new lock is parallel to the original one and doubles the capacity of the complex. This means less waiting time for shipping, a more stable flow and greater system reliability. At the same time, major maintenance was also carried out on the existing lock: concrete structures were strengthened, steel components renewed and operating systems modernized.

A look behind the scenes with Ali Akdogan

On behalf of BENK PROJECTS, Ali Akdogan, as work planner, is responsible for coordinating work, ordering materials and monitoring progress:

"I make sure everything runs smoothly and that our mechanics can get to work outside with adequate information and resources."

Troubleshooting is also part of his job: "If something happens, I have to quickly switch with the right parties such as Hollandia or the climate department of Croonwolter&dros."

Specialist collaborations

Eefde Lock is not only an impressive structure, but it is also a coordinated collaboration between several parties. Ali explains: "As the main contractor, we are responsible for the operational continuity of the complex. But we don't do that alone." The mechanical components are managed by Hollandia. For the climate control system and technical installations, Croonwolter&dros' climate department is responsible. It also helps with ICT and reading error messages on PLC cards, crucial components that can cause malfunctions if they fail.

"The lock is critical infrastructure," Ali stresses. "If something fails such as a PLC card, it can have major consequences." During the last nine-day maintenance period, all work went flawlessly, and I'm immensely proud of that. A project like this really runs on cooperation," Ali said.

From daily management to annual intervention

The management of Lock Eefde consists of a combination of preventive and corrective maintenance, ad hoc malfunction solutions and structural checks. Major maintenance takes place once a year, during which the lock is temporarily blocked for intensive work. In addition, the team delivers a quarterly verification report to Rijkswaterstaat: detailed proof that all technical and electrical systems are functioning.

Building the future together

With a small, close-knit team, Ali helps ensure that Lock Eefde continues to function as a reliable water gate. "There are only four of us, but we keep this whole complex running," he says. Whether it's daily maintenance, quarterly verifications or incident resolution, everything is done with precision, passion and cooperation.

"We work here in a beautiful environment, and that makes this project extra special."

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