In June, Lantis awarded EQUANS the contract for the technical installations of the six tunnels for the new Oosterweel link on the right bank of the river Scheldt in Antwerp. Our teams are responsible for the design, execution and maintenance of the installations. The engineering phase started recently, in cooperation with ENGIE Tractebel.
EQUANS’ teams recently started work on the next major mobility and infrastructure project, better known as the Oosterweel link. The Antwerp ring road is coming full circle, thanks to some important interventions. Several traffic interchanges around the city will be connected by tunnels and open-cut tunnels with the aim of improving mobility and quality of life in and around Antwerp. The new Scheldt tunnel is part of this and opens up the ring around Antwerp, as it were. EQUANS is responsible for the Traffic and Tunnel Technical Installations (VTTI). The design of the VTTI is already underway, because during the initial phase of this large and complex project EQUANS called on the expertise and support of sister company ENGIE Tractebel to help with the engineering aspect. EQUANS will tackle this project together with Jacops/Vandenberg and Deckx in joint venture form.
What does the VTTI involve?
EQUANS is responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of all technical installations of the six traffic tunnels of the Oosterweel link: the Scheldt Tunnel, the two Canal tunnels, the Albert Canal Crossunder, the Luchtbal Tunnel and the Schijnpoort tunnel. This assignment includes techniques for energy distribution, lighting, ventilation, traffic signals and signage, communication, video surveillance, pumping systems, fire protection, smoke extraction, sprinkler networks, fog systems, etc. In short, everything related to electricity, air movement or water. All the above comes equipped with a control system that is linked to the Agency for Roads and Traffic control centre. The structural work on the tunnels will be carried out by the temporary partnership COTU, consisting of BESIX, BAM Contractors, DEME and Jan De Nul. EQUANS will initially start work on the Scheldt tunnel, following the works on the left bank. After this, it is the turn of the five tunnels on the right bank.
Organisational challenge
After being awarded the contract, EQUANS has worked on the design and engineering since June 2020 and expects an effective start on site to commence in 2024. For the overall project, EQUANS forecasts a three-year engineering phase, a two-year manufacturing phase and an implementation and test phase of three years. That means a total lead time of eight years, followed by a 10-year maintenance contract. For EQUANS, the Oosterweel project is one of the largest contracts ever. At its peak, 500 to 600 people will be deployed to work in several tunnels at the same time. As such, it will be a major organisational challenge.
Responding to the digital evolution
EQUANS strives to remain at the forefront of technology in the field of technical installations. Take the large signposts on motorways: as digital possibilities increase, more and more information will be sent directly to the car, and the cars themselves will be a lot more intelligent and able to make decisions or offer suggestions to the driver. Communication platforms with the car and between cars will become increasingly important and are evolving every day. Part of our job is also to examine, together with Lantis, how we can respond to these evolutions.
Expertise in large mobility projects
EQUANS is a recognised player in the field of project management and the successful completion of large infrastructure projects and projects in the mobility sector in general, namely tunnel installations. The EQUANS teams are currently working on the final phase of the Leopold II Tunnel renovation in Brussels. Our maintenance teams ensure the systems of previously completed DBFM projects such as the Diabolo connection, A11, Noord Zuid Kempen stay fit and healthy so that user availability is assured.