BAM to build immersed Scheldt tunnel
Belgian project developer Lantis has awarded the contract for the sinkable construction of the Scheldt tunnel in the harbour of Antwerpen, to the dedicated THV Cotu consortium that includes BAM.
The tunnel is part of the completion of the Antwerpen Ring Road. The other contractors are Deme, Besix and Jan de Nul.
Design details
The selected contractors that participate in the Tijdelijke Handelsvennootschap Combinatie Oosterweeltunnel (THV COTU) consortium can now start studies for a more detailed design. The tunnel has a total length of 1,800 metres and will be built according to the ‘immersed tube’ method.
The first preparatory work will start in the autumn of 2020. Construction work for the tunnel itself will begin after the summer of 2021. The contract value is 570 million euro, with a BAM Contractors’ share of 25 per cent.
Immersed road
The completion of the Antwerpen Ring Road totals five projects for the construction of a new 6-lane road that will be partly covered, and partly tunnelled.
For the construction of the Scheldt tunnel eight immersible elements of approximately 60,000 tonnes will be built in the inner port of Zeebrugge and then towed to Antwerp via the North Sea and the Western Scheldt.
In the Antwerp harbour the elements will be immersed in a pre-dredged trench in the River Scheldt.
World's longest immersed tunnel
This immersed tunnel technique will also be applied for the construction of the 18 km long Fernernbelt tunnel to connect Germany and Denmark. With its 89 elements, it will be the longest immersed tunnel in the world.
BAM is also involved in that construction as part of the Femern Link Contractors joint venture. The venture recently received a commencement notice and construction is expected to start in January 2021.
