Oosterweel: smart technology for better mobility
Oosterweel: smart technology for better mobility
Equans contributes to Europe’s largest infrastructure project
In 2020, Lantis awarded TM Ocotech - the temporary partnership with BESIX Unitec, Jacops and Deckx, in which Equans holds the largest share at 60% - the contract for the traffic and tunnel technical installations in the eight road tunnels of the Oosterweel Link in Antwerp. Equans is responsible for the design, execution and maintenance of these installations. The design phase is now almost fully completed, and our teams have started work on site.
The Oosterweel Link is currently the largest mobility and infrastructure project in Europe. Through a number of major interventions, the Antwerp Ring Road will be completed. Several traffic junctions around the city will be connected by tunnels and cut-and-cover sections, with the aim of improving mobility and quality of life in and around Antwerp. The new Scheldt Tunnel is part of this project and will effectively complete the Antwerp Ring Road.
© Lantis
What is the scope of Equans?
Equans is responsible for the design, execution and maintenance of all traffic and tunnel technical installations in the eight road tunnels of the Oosterweel Link. These include the Scheldt Tunnel, the two Canal Tunnels, the Groen Hart Tunnel, the Albertkanaal Underpass Tunnel, the Luchtbal Tunnel, the Schijnpoort Tunnel and the Waterpark Tunnel.
This assignment covers technologies for power distribution, lighting, ventilation, traffic signalling, communication, video surveillance, pumping stations, fire protection, smoke extraction, fire water pipes, water mist systems and more. In short: everything related to electricity, air movement or water. All these systems will be equipped with a control system connected to the control centre of the Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic.
The civil engineering works for the tunnels are being carried out by the temporary partnership COTU, made up of BESIX, Stadsbader Contractors, DEME and Jan De Nul. Equans will first start work on the Scheldt Tunnel, following the works on the Left Bank. The tunnels on the Right Bank will follow afterwards.
Key figures Ocotech
An organisational challenge
Following the award of the contract in June 2020, Equans has almost fully completed the design and engineering phase. In the meantime, our teams have already started work on site. The Oosterweel project is expected to be fully completed in 2033. Certain parts of the project, such as the Scheldt Tunnel, will open to traffic earlier: in 2028 for cyclists and in 2030 for motorised traffic. Once the on-site works have been completed, Equans will be responsible for maintaining the traffic and tunnel technical installations for 10 years. Oosterweel is one of the largest contracts ever awarded to Equans. At peak activity, 500 to 600 people will be deployed across several tunnels simultaneously. This will therefore be a major organisational challenge.
© Lantis
© Lantis
Responding to digital evolution
Equans aims to remain at the forefront of technology in the field of technical installations. Take the large signalling boards on our motorways, for example: as digital capabilities continue to expand, more and more information will be delivered directly to vehicles, while vehicles themselves will become significantly smarter and increasingly able to make decisions or provide suggestions to drivers. Communication platforms between infrastructure and vehicles, and between vehicles themselves, will become increasingly important and are evolving every day. Part of our assignment is therefore to work with Lantis to explore how we can anticipate and respond to these developments.