In Arcen, Dijkzone Alliantie Arcen — a collaboration between Ploegam, Dura Vermeer and Hollandia Infra — is working on the Arcen dyke reinforcement and relocation project. Part of this project is the installation of a self-closing flood barrier (Vlotter barrier) in 38 back gardens along the River Maas.
The self-closing flood barrier consists of connected steel gates mounted in a concrete chamber. During high water levels, this chamber fills with water from the Maas. The buoyancy of EPS then automatically pushes the steel gates upwards, creating a barrier that holds back the water.
First gates installed
On Friday 23 January and Monday 26 January 2026, the first gates of the self-closing flood barrier were successfully lifted into place and installed. The gates have been custom-made for each section of the alignment, which extends over more than 600 metres in total. Each gate measures approximately 9.5 metres in length, 3.5 to 4 metres in width, and 3 metres in depth. A single gate weighs around 7,000 kg.
Precision work in residents’ back gardens
Lifting and installing the gates requires precision down to the millimetre. After installation, the gates are fully assembled and fitted with a rubber water seal. In consultation with the residents, the gates are then finished with durable materials such as paving or composite decking. The self-closing barrier runs directly through the back gardens of residents in the centre of Arcen. As a result, the barrier forms part of the garden while remaining fully functional as flood protection.
Planning
We expect this part of the project to be completed in the summer of 2026.
Read more about this project here.
