Concrete works are under way for Belgium’s Oosterweel Channel Tunnels.
After starting construction of work islands in the Albert Canal in May last year, contractor TM Roco has now begun the concrete works for the tunnels.
The tunnels for the road project will run under the Albert Canal and connect the future Oosterweel junction in Antwerp Port with the Oosterweel Ring.
TM Roco, which comprises Besix, Stadsbader Contractors, Deme Group and Jan De Nul, is building 4.7km of deep walls in the subsurface to create a construction pit for the tunnels.
The reinforced concrete walls will hold back soil and water, and protect the environment. They will keep the groundwater level stable, even outside the construction zone.
The walls are created by digging a trench up to 60m deep – the deepest point of the entire Oosterweel works. The trench will then be filled with steel reinforcement cages and concrete.
In recent months cofferdams have also been built to separate the works site and the Albert Canal.
