The TM COTU consortium has breached the old Scheldt dyke on Antwerp’s Left Bank, for the construction of the Scheldt tunnel, which is a part of the Oosterweel project.

Commissioned by Lantis, the TM COTU (Tijdelijke Maatschap Combinatie Oosterweeltunnel) consortium is responsible for delivering the Scheldt tunnel

The consortium comprises Belgian construction companies BESIX, Stadsbader Contractors, DEME, and Jan De Nul.

The breaking of the Scheldt dyke represents an important step forward in the Oosterweel link project and will complete the Antwerp Ring Road construction.

TM COTU has excavated 400m of the existing structure to facilitate the first tunnel element, which is planned to be transported from Zeebrugge to Antwerp later this year.

The tunnel element will connect to the other tunnel element, which is currently under construction on the Left Bank, with completion expected this summer.

Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Annick De Ridder said: “We are taking another crucial step in the realisation of the Scheldt tunnel and the Oosterweel project, which is often referred to as the construction site of the century.

“The Scheldt tunnel is a key link in completing the Antwerp Ring Road on the north side.

“These infrastructure works are essential for Flemish mobility, liveability, and economic development, and go hand in hand with ecological enhancement. By relocating the dyke, we are also creating valuable natural spaces.”

The Scheldt tunnel will start on the Left Bank near Sint-Annabos and emerge on the Right Bank at the future Oosterweel junction and the Canal Tunnels.

Prior to the breaking of dyke, a part of the construction site on the Left Bank was carefully flooded in December using a controlled pumping system.

The flooding was implemented to protect the tunnel from the strong Scheldt currents, which could cause structural damage.

With the dyke broken, the tunnel is now officially in the River Scheldt, and the remaining eight tunnel elements have been constructed at a dedicated dry dock in Zeebrugge.

The tunnel elements will be transported to Antwerp through the North Sea and the Scheldt, before being submerged in their final position, starting from this summer.

The entire tunnel structure is expected to be completed and in place by this year-end and is planned to be open to cyclists in 2028, with motorised traffic to follow in 2030.

Recently, TM COTU has built a new elevated dyke 300m inland, replacing the old dyke, which is 2.5m higher than the old one and serves as a protective barrier.