On Friday, 24 January 2025, the TM COTU joint venture, of which BESIX is part, breached the old Scheldt dyke on Antwerp’s Left Bank. This marks a significant step forward in the construction of the Scheldt tunnel, which is a crucial component of the Oosterweel link and will complete the Antwerp Ring Road.
The breaching of the dyke represents a major milestone in the development of the Scheldt tunnel. TM COTU excavated 400 metres of the existing structure to make way for the first tunnel element, which will be transported from Zeebrugge to Antwerp later this year. This element will connect to the initial tunnel element which is currently under construction on the Left Bank, with completion expected this summer.
Annick De Ridder, Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, stated:"We are taking another crucial step in the realisation of the Scheldt tunnel and the Oosterweel project, which is often referred to as the construction site of the century. The Scheldt tunnel is a key link in completing the Antwerp Ring Road on the north side. These infrastructure works are essential for Flemish mobility, liveability, and economic development, and go hand in hand with ecological enhancement. By relocating the dyke, we are also creating valuable natural spaces."
The Scheldt tunnel will begin on the Left Bank near Sint-Annabos and will emerge on the Right Bank at the future Oosterweel junction and the Canal Tunnels, both integral parts of the Oosterweel link. BESIX is also actively involved in the construction of the Canal Tunnels as part of the ROCO consortium.
Preparatory works on Antwerp’s Left Bank
Ahead of the dyke breaching, a section of the construction site on the Left Bank was carefully flooded in December using a controlled pumping system. This measure was implemented to protect the tunnel section from the strong Scheldt currents, which could cause structural damage. With the dyke now breached, the tunnel is officially in the River Scheldt.
The remaining eight tunnel elements have been constructed at a dedicated dry dock in Zeebrugge. As from this spring, they will be transported one by one to Antwerp via the North Sea and the Scheldt, before being submerged in their final position from this summer onwards. The entire tunnel structure is expected to be completed and in place by the end of 2025.
The tunnel will open to cyclists in 2028, with motorised traffic set to follow in 2030.
Flood protection and ecological benefits
In recent months, TM COTU has constructed a new, elevated dyke 300 metres inland, which serves as a protective barrier and replaces the old dyke. This new dyke is 2.5 metres higher, offering improved flood protection as part of the Sigma Plan. Additionally, relocating the dyke has freed up 24 hectares of land for ecological development, including mudflats, salt marshes, and a floodplain forest.
TM COTU, which stands for Tijdelijke Maatschap Combinatie Oosterweeltunnel, is a consortium comprising leading Belgian construction firms BESIX, Stadsbader Contractors, DEME, and Jan De Nul. Commissioned by Lantis, TM COTU is responsible for delivering the Scheldt tunnel, which is considered the final segment in the completion of the Antwerp Ring Road.
