The SIF Group in Roermond manufactured the 48 steel foundation piles, with a height of circa 35 metres, a weight of 250 tonnes and a diameter of 5 metres. The foundation piles are transported per ship to Vlissingen, where they are provided with a coating. The piles are then transported individually to the IJsselmeer, after which the transport and Van Oord/Mammoet’s installation pontoon ‘De Schelde’ installs them on the project location. The foundations are located 500 to 1,200 metres offshore, at the level of the Westermeer and Noordermeer dikes around the Noordoostpolder.

The pile is driven into the bottom of the IJsselmeer down to about 25 metres. The work has continued from the beginning of March until the end of May, 6 days per week. Several times, the workers even succeeded to install two piles within twelve hours.