The installation of sections of a road tunnel in Antwerp has been delayed after an issue immersing a concrete structure, which has affected marine traffic to the Port of Antwerp
Tugs and workboats helping to construct the Scheldt Tunnel in Belgium have stopped work after an issue occurred while installing a concrete section in late August.
The fourth tunnel section’s immersion was temporarily halted after an unexpected accumulation of sand occurred in the sinking trench, while vessels lowered the 60,000-tonne structure.
The road tunnel’s constructionis being managed by Temporary Partnership Combination Oosterweeltunnel (TM Cotu), a group consisting of the Belgian construction companies BESIX, Lantis, Stadsbader Contractors, DEME and Jan De Nul.
According to Lantis, the fourth tunnel section was not completely in the intended location and work on this has been halted for atleast two weeks.
“This is necessary until the neap tide window, the moment when the current in the Scheldt is minimal, passes. As a result, corrective actions are currently not possible,” said Lantis in a LinkedIn post.
“In the meantime, TM Cotu is investigating whether the tunnel section needs to be picked up again or whether the position can be corrected in another way.”
During the next few weeks, the tunnel section will be continuously monitored and the immersed catamarans will remain on site to maintain control, while the delay in construction work is estimated to be at least one month.
Maritime traffic along the Scheldt Riveris temporarily affected with only one channel remaining open on the right bank, speed restrictions in place for aroundsix weeks and crossing vessel traffic not allowed in the area around the immersed catamarans.
