4000 Tons of Precision Work in 12 Hours

From France to Nieuwegein

The job came from Eiffage Génie Civil, one of France’s major contractors. Although they have their own jacking and sliding division, the scope of this project – both in terms of distance and weight – required more equipment than they had in-house. That’s why they called us in.

In fact, we were contacted by seven different French contractors during the tender phase. That tells you something about how specialized this work is.

A Slanted Challenge

The tunnel walls were sloped – a design feature that added complexity. We decided against using steel sliding consoles. Not only would it have required 50 of them (25 per side), but we didn’t have that many available. Instead, we opted for custom concrete consoles: more efficient, lighter, and faster to install – a critical advantage on such a tight schedule.

12 Hours, 200 Tons of Gear, 8 People

During a planned track possession, our 8-person crew got to work. In just 12 hours, we mobilized over 200 tons of sliding equipment, completed the sliding operation, and demobilized everything again. The tunnel was moved at a speed of 20 meters per hour – faster than the planned 16 meters. That’s not luck; that’s preparation and experience.

Forward – and Backward

In France, it’s mandatory to prove you can reverse the operation in case of emergency. That’s why we always include a reverse test during trial runs. It’s just part of the way we work: always thinking ahead.

What This Says About Us

Projects like this show exactly what Civiele Technieken deBoer brings to the table: heavy lifting, international deployment, and precise execution under pressure. Whether it’s an emergency job in the Netherlands or a mega-slide in southern France – we make it happen.