Week of 3 November
1. Scheldt Tunnel works are progressing on all fronts (Belgium)
In Antwerp, the COTU team is making steady progress on the Scheldt Tunnel, a key part of the Oosterweel Link that will complete the city’s Ring Road on the northern side. Last Friday, the fifth tunnel element was successfully immersed beneath the Scheldt, with the next immersion planned for 14 November.
On both banks, works are also advancing. The steel wall between the tunnel entrance on the Right Bank and the river was removed last week, and today, structural works for the service building on the Left Bank were completed. This building will house all systems needed to keep the tunnel safe and operational, including ventilation, lighting, fire resistance, communication tools and spaces for monitoring and maintenance. The tunnel is expected to open in phases from 2028.
2. Project win for BESIX Watpac (Australia)
BESIX Watpac has been awarded the contract for the Bank Street park development in Sydney, in partnership with Infrastructure NSW. The project will transform the area around the southern pylons of the ANZAC Bridge into a lively waterfront space for the community. Works are set to begin in early 2026 and form part of the wider renewal of Blackwattle Bay. The project also aims for at least 40% female participation. Congratulations to the team!
3. Safety milestone in the port of Ghent (Belgium)
In the port of Ghent, the FOSTER consortium (BESIX–Indaver) is making solid progress on Aquafin’s Sludge Mono-Treatment Plant. Over the past month, major components have been placed on site, including overhead cranes, a sludge dryer, a combuster and part of the steam boiler.
In addition, the site team achieved 100,000 workhours wihtout a lost-time incident. This result reflects a strong on-site safety culture and the consistent commitment of everyone involved. The milestone was celebrated the best Belgian way possible: with fresh fries. Well done, FOSTER!
4. Royal visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum (Egypt)
This weekend, the Grand Egyptian Museum was officially inaugurated near the pyramids of Giza, with distinguished guests including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium. The day after the ceremony, our BESIX team had the honour of guiding the King through the museum.
Built in partnership with Orascom Construction, the museum spans 490,000 m² and houses 20,000 artefacts, including the statue of Ramses II and the Khufu Solar Boat. It is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilisation.
And then this... Saint-Denis Pleyel station earns global recognition (France)
In Paris, the Saint-Denis Pleyel station has been named one of the seven most beautiful stations in the world by the Prix Versailles 2025, an award supported by UNESCO. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the station is among the largest on the Grand Paris Express and served as a key transport hub during the 2024 Olympic Games. BESIX France completed its construction in May 2024.
