Construction of the much-anticipated Scheldt Tunnel, part of the Oosterweel works in Antwerp, was temporarily halted on Tuesday after the discovery of a British sea mine from World War I during excavation work.
The discovery occurred just as workers were preparing to breach the Scheldt dyke, a crucial step in the tunnel’s construction.
Flemish Minister of Public Works Annick De Ridder (N-VA) shared the news on social media, explaining the disruption to the project.
The sea mine, which had surfaced unexpectedly, prompted an immediate response from the bomb disposal service, DOVO. The mine was safely removed and will be detonated in a controlled environment, allowing the construction to resume without further risk.
“We were about to witness a historic step in the construction of the Scheldt Tunnel this Thursday – the breaching of the Scheldt dyke,” Minister De Ridder wrote.
“However, due to the discovery of the British sea mine from World War I, we have to postpone the works.” She assured the public that a new date for the breaching of the dyke will be scheduled once it is safe to proceed.
The Scheldt Tunnel, a vital infrastructure project, is designed to provide a third crossing of the river Scheldt in Antwerp.
This addition will complement the existing Kennedy Tunnel and Liefkenshoek Tunnel, easing traffic congestion and improving access to the northern part of the city, near the port.
The new tunnel will connect the Left Bank to the Right Bank at the northern edge of Antwerp, significantly enhancing transportation routes in the region.
Currently, the eight tunnel segments required for the construction of the Scheldt Tunnel are in Zeebrugge, awaiting transport to Antwerp.
The segments will be shipped across the North Sea in the spring, with the transport scheduled for mid-May.
Once the segments arrive in Antwerp, work on assembling the tunnel will continue, with the breaching of the Scheldt dyke being a key step in the process.
To facilitate the tunnel’s construction and ensure a smooth connection on both sides of the river, the dyke will need to be breached.
Temporary dykes are being constructed on both the Right and Left Banks of the Scheldt. On the Right Bank, a temporary dyke is being built near Scheldelaan, while on the Left Bank, a new dyke is under construction.
These measures are essential for connecting the tunnel entrances to the tunnel segments once the riverbed is cleared.
The discovery of the sea mine, while temporarily halting construction, highlights the ongoing challenges faced in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in areas with a complex historical and geological legacy.
The Scheldt Tunnel is expected to significantly improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, making it a critical development for the city of Antwerp and its residents.
Despite the delay, the project remains on track, and the authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of all involved.
With the sea mine removed and the necessary adjustments made, construction of the Scheldt Tunnel will soon resume, bringing this essential project closer to completion.
