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The Scheldt tunnel is part of Antwerp’s Oosterweel connection, a major mobility project that will not only make traffic in and around the city run safer and smoother, but also improve the quality of life. The new tunnel under the Scheldt is part of the Antwerp Ring Road and will ensure a better distribution of traffic. Last summer, Lantis, the client for the Oosterweel connection, awarded the construction of the tunnel to Temporary Partnership COTU. Strukton Immersion Projects was recently commissioned by TM COTU for the installation of the tunnel elements.
The Oosterweel connection project will be one of the largest infrastructure projects in the Antwerp region, with an impact on liveability and accessibility, and will be carried out until 2030. Lantis is thus initiating the transition to other forms of mobility, which are more sustainable and will lead to better accessibility of Antwerp. One of the projects is the realization of the Scheldt tunnel, the new tunnel under the river Scheldt.
Strukton Immersion Projects signed up for the floating, mooring, immersion preparation and installation of the eight tunnel elements of the Scheldt tunnel. This includes the immersion engineering, preparation and various temporary constructions. Strukton started the engineering immediately. The immersion of the tunnel elements is expected to take place in 2024.
For the construction of the Scheldt tunnel, Strukton is using its extensive specialist knowledge and experience in immersion. Previous similar projects successfully completed by Strukton Immersion Projects include the Busan-Geoje Fixed Link Project in South Korea, the Chioggia Flood Barrier near Venice and the caissons for the foundations of the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge in Turkey, the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
The Scheldt tunnel is the most important link in the Oosterweel connection, connecting the left and right banks of the river Scheldt. The tunnel consists of a land tunnel and an immersion tunnel with a total length of 1,800 meters. For this purpose, eight tunnel elements measuring 160x42x10 meters and weighing approximately 60,000 tons will be built in the port of Zeebrugge and then towed to Antwerp via the North Sea and the Western Scheldt.
About TM COTU
TM COTU stands for Tijdelijke Maatschap Combinatie Oosterweeltunnel. The partnership combination consists of the Belgian construction groups BESIX, BAM Contractors, DEME and Jan De Nul. The combination combines the necessary expertise and experience of the participating companies to realize the Scheldt tunnel. TM COTU speaks of the crown jewel of the Oosterweel connection.