Week of 18 August
1. Fly over the Bypass and Canal Tunnels with us (Belgium)
In Antwerp, our colleagues from the ROCO joint venture are making solid headway on the Oosterweel Link’s Right Bank sub-project. The final asphalt layer has been poured on the Bypass heading towards the Netherlands, with traffic expected to shift there by the end of October. This temporary highway will keep vehicles moving while the Merksem viaduct is dismantled and replaced by a semi-sunken Ring Road, designed to be largely covered and surrounded by green spaces.
At the Canal Tunnels, work is also moving ahead. Diaphragm walls are being installed to keep groundwater out, allowing to excavate a dry construction pit. These tunnels, made up of four stacked tubes, will link the Ring Road with the southern port area and play a key role in Antwerp’s future mobility network.
Watch the video or browse the gallery to get a sense of the sheer scale of the site!
2. Students on site in Denmark and Australia
Last week, our team at the Nordhavn Tunnel in Copenhagen welcomed 17 architecture students from Auburn University, Alabama. As part of their European summer programme, they visited the site to learn more about the project and exchange ideas with our team. It was a great opportunity to share our experience with future construction professionals.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, our colleagues at the Werribee Mercy Hospital expansion in Australia hosted students from The Grange for a hands-on learning experience. After a warm welcome and a lively panel discussion, the students toured the site and saw first-hand how a major infrastructure project comes together. A brilliant way to spark curiosity and show what construction is really about!
3. CEO visit at KevlinX Data Center (Belgium)
Another site visit, this time from our CEO Pierre Sironval and General Manager BESIX Belgium-Luxembourg Mark Beyst, who stopped by the KevlinX Data Center in Neder-Over-Heembeek, near Brussels. With just three months to go before handover in November 2025, the team is entering the final phase of the project. A tremendous amount of hard work and dedication still lies ahead, but the dedication of all BESIX and joint venture teams to deliver successfully is clear. The visit was a welcome moment of encouragement for everyone on site.
Good luck with this last stretch, team!
4. Getting Zayed City Schools ready for the new term (UAE)
In Abu Dhabi, our BESIX Facility Management team has spent the summer preparing the Zayed City Schools for the return of students and teachers. With the new academic year just around the corner, the team carried out thorough maintenance and safety checks to ensure everything runs smoothly from day one.
The schools, completed in 2024 by BESIX Middle East as part of a public-private partnership, are now under our expert team’s care for the next 20 years. Having been involved in the design, construction, financing, and now the long-term operations, this project is a great example of how BESIX supports communities well beyond the building phase. Hats off to the team for their dedication!
And then this... Sluishuis featured in American documentary (the Netherlands)
The iconic Sluishuis project is getting international attention! The building, developed by BESIX RED and delivered by BESIX Netherlands three years ago, is featured in the American Smithsonian Channel’s series How Did They Build That?. Produced by British company Curve Media, the documentary highlights the innovation and craftsmanship behind this striking project. It’s a proud moment for everyone involved. Watch the trailer below to see how our work is being showcased to a global audience.