Scheldt Tunnel construction reaches milestone

Since January 2023, TM COTU has overseen the project, using approximately 200,000m³ of concrete and 50,000 tonnes of steel to create eight massive tunnel elements, each weighing around 60,000 tonnes.

TM COTU stands for Tijdelijke Maatschap Combinatie Oosterweeltunnel in Dutch, and is a consortium comprising the Belgian construction companies BESIX, DEME, Stadsbader Contractors and Jan De Nul.

These elements include two traffic shafts, a six-metre-wide bicycle shaft and an escape shaft.

“This last concrete pour marks an important milestone,” said Gert Osselaer, operational director at Lantis, the project developer that awarded the contract to TM COTU.

“During the past few years, many efforts have been made in this construction dock and progress has been impressive,” he said, adding that the next phase was to tow the tunnel elements to Antwerp for immersion by 2025.

Raymond De Kroon, director of execution at TM COTU, outlined the intricate transport process. “As soon as the tunnel elements are fully waterproof and ready to leave, the construction dock is cleared and flooded. The tunnel elements are equipped with ballast tanks to rise and immerse them in a controlled way,” he said.

The completed Scheldt Tunnel is set to enhance regional connectivity, with traffic expected to flow through by 2030, while cyclists will gain access by 2028.