On Friday 20 September 2024, the final concrete pour for the eight Scheldt Tunnel elements took place in the dedicated dry dock in Zeebruges, Belgium. The COTU joint venture has been constructing this crucial infrastructure for the Oosterweel link since January 2023. With the structural works now complete, preparations for transporting the elements to Antwerp have begun. The first elements will be submerged and assembled at their final location in 2025.
A total of 200,000 m³ of concrete and 50,000 tonnes of steel have been used to build the tunnel elements. Each element is 160 metres long, 40 metres wide, weighs around 60,000 tonnes, and includes a six-metre-wide cycling path and a separate escape route. Together, these eight elements will form the Scheldt Tunnel, which will provide an additional crossing of the River Scheldt, closing the northern part of the Antwerp Ring Road.
In January 2023, construction started in the dry dock in Zeebruges with the first concrete pour. Eighteen months later, and on schedule, concrete work is now complete. In the coming months, the final tunnel elements will be waterproofed and prepared for transport to Antwerp. Once the last element has left the dry dock, the site will be repurposed for an extension of the port.
Gert Osselaer, COO at Lantis said: “The final concrete pour is a key milestone. Over the past years, the COTU team has worked incredibly hard in this dry dock, and their progress is impressive. We will continue to work diligently as we prepare for the next milestone: the transport to Antwerp. This unique operation will begin in the first half of 2025 and is being meticulously prepared by our contractor, the COTU joint venture.”
Dieter Van Parys, Project Manager at BESIX added: “Constructing the Scheldt Tunnel has been a significant challenge, and we are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past 18 months. BESIX is honoured to be part of the COTU team, responsible for delivering this essential infrastructure for Antwerp. I look forward to the successful completion of this project.”
A technical feat
In 2025, the Scheldt Tunnel elements will be transported one by one to Antwerp, where they will be submerged and assembled at their final location. Tugboats and push boats will assist with the transport, with ballast tanks utilized throughout the process. Raymond De Kroon, Execution Director at COTU: “The transport to Antwerp is a true technical achievement and an exciting moment for everyone involved. We are preparing this operation intensively with the client and all partners to ensure a successful execution”
The Scheldt Tunnel will be ready for cyclists in 2028, and cars will be able to use it by 2030.
