(Translation of original Dutch press release of Rijkswaterstaat:) Utrecht, the Netherlands, 20 July 2015 – After a lifetime of almost 100 years, the Northern lock in IJmuiden needs replacement. Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Highways and Waterways Agency) intends to award the construction of the new IJmuiden sea lock, which is located at the entrance to the North Sea Canal, to the Consortium OpenIJ. After contract close, this consortium, consisting of BAM, Volker Wessels and DIF will be responsible for design, construction, financing and maintenance of the new lock for a period of 26 years.