The Canal Tunnels: The Missing Link in the Oosterweel Connection

The construction of the Canal Tunnels marks a milestone in the Oosterweel project and represents an important step towards smoother and more sustainable mobility in Antwerp. Through innovative techniques, smart collaboration, and a strong focus on safety, this complex infrastructure project is being successfully executed. The first sections of the tunnels are expected to be operational by the end of 2028, completing the Antwerp Ring.

Technical Masterpiece with Innovative Solutions

The tunnels consist of four tubes stacked two by two. The lower tubes connect to the Antwerp Ring towards the Netherlands (A12 and E19), while the upper tubes will direct traffic to the Sportpaleis and the E313. The choice of a stacked structure is largely driven by space constraints in the port area and the necessity to minimize interference with the shipping lane. This design also prevents complex weaving movements within the tunnel, enhancing safety and flow.

Building tunnels underwater presents significant technical challenges. Unlike the Scheldt Tunnel, whose elements are manufactured in a building dock in Zeebrugge, the Canal Tunnels are being constructed on-site. This requires a complex construction method, beginning with the installation of sheet piles in the Albertkanaal to create a construction pit. In May 2024, the sheet piles were installed, and in a later phase, the water will be pumped out, and the construction pit will be filled with sand. This allows for a dry construction pit where the tunnels can be realized in phases.

To build a tunnel underwater, we start with work islands. We fill part of the canal, excavate a construction pit up to eight or nine stories deep, build the tunnel, and then let the water flow over the structure again – as if nothing has happened.

Franck Monballiu, Team Manager Infrastructure

Collaboration and Digital Innovations

The Oosterweel project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between various stakeholders, including Lantis as the client, the contractor consortium TM ROCO, and engineering firm Sweco. By utilizing an integrated project office, teams can work together efficiently and align designs with practical execution.

Additionally, digital technology plays a significant role in the project. The design of the tunnels is fully developed in a 3D BIM model, with additional dimensions such as time (4D) and costs (5D) incorporated. This ensures accurate planning and cost estimation, allowing for quicker and more efficient adjustments to designs as needed.