Every 15 years, the famous Saint-Martin canal, a major Parisian landmark for walking and tourism, is dried up for maintenance, repair and improvement work, under the leadership of the City of Paris. The latest unemployment has notably enabled the 9th lock to be completely rebuilt, providing access to the Seine at the Port de l'Arsenal. With a "capital" remotorization signed IVEA for this prestigious work...

The atmosphere of the romantic Paris of yesteryear

It is to Napoleon ^I that we owe the Saint-Martin canal which, inaugurated in 1825, was then intended to supply the capital with drinking water and to transport goods by river.
Linking from north to south the Ourcq canal (Villette basin) to the Seine, its 4.5 km (2 of which are underground) are marked out by 9 locks, 2 revolving and 2 fixed bridges, 5 romantic Eiffel-type footbridges, 3 mysterious vaults...
Its paved banks with plane trees and hundred-year-old chestnut trees are a privileged destination for Parisians to stroll and relax, and a mecca for tourism in the "atmosphere" (with Arletty's accent!) of the Paris of yesteryear.
It is also a very popular spot for river navigation giving access to the Seine via lock n° 9 at the level of the charming Port de l'ArsenalIt is the only one that offers its cruise passengers temporary moorings, half of them even permanent.
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A strategic challenge for a major leisure and tourist destination

The challenge proposed by this shipyard: to respect the time limit for unemployment, which is inevitably reduced in view of the number of people using the canal (with more than 2,000 boats/year) as well as the number of tourists using its banks. Not simple with regard to the requirements of the global specifications, integrating :

• the replacement of the two lock gates with new gates each equipped with three wings and a walkway accessible to persons with reduced mobility,
• the replacement of door and door handle operating devices and door wings
• civil engineering works, installation of water level probes, refurbishment of existing electrical and control-command installations.

A technological mix: jacks and electric jacks

As a recognised specialist in electromechanical solutions, knowing how to adapt to all types of markets including that of locks, IVEA designed, built and started up the new lock motorisation systems on site. To do this, it has combined two of the many complementary technologies that it masters, the rack-jacks and the Electric Cylinders :

• for the leaves : 4 electric cylinders submersible - Effort: 80 KN/Stroke 1850 mm
• for the braces: 12 rack-jack sets. Motorized by servomotors - Force: 40 kN / Stroke 1100 mm.

Since its commissioning, the device has ideally fulfilled its tasks of opening/closing the gates and regulating the water level in the canal. And it has proven its reliability during recent flooding episodes. With this achievement, IVEA is proud to contribute to perpetuating "the romance of Paris"!