The Oosterweel project – a technical masterpiece.
The Oosterweel link completes the Antwerp ring road, the R1, with a third Scheldt junction. The left bank, the harbor, the island, Merksem and the area around the Sportpaleis are thus connected. But the Oosterweel connection is much more than that. In addition to tunnels, new junctions and complexes, the project also includes more than 30 kilometers of cycle paths, streetcar projects, P+R and a large amount of new and green space. The Merksem viaduct – next to the Sportpaleis – will be demolished and replaced by a sunken and partially covered ring road.
The Oosterweel connection will create a much-needed additional tunnel under the Scheldt, mainly to relieve the Kennedy Tunnel. This new link connects the Scheldt tunnel with the canal zone tunnels under the docks at the Oosterweel junction. These canal zone tunnels consist of four tubes, one above the other in pairs. Gooimeer BV is closely involved in the construction of these canal tunnels, as the company supplies the steel sheet piles and steel pipes required for the construction of the tunnels. Sheet piles of the types ZZ28-700, ZZ36-700, ZZ40-700 and ZZ42-700 with a length of up to 32.5 meters were supplied for this project. For these sheet piles, the center trenches were filled with a polyurethane seal along the entire length and the pile trenches were filled with a bituminous interlock sealant to create a watertight wall. Interlock guides were also fitted to each sheet pile. In addition, each sheet pile was given a unique code to ensure traceability on site. The sheet pile tests before the start of the project clearly showed that this type of ZZ sheet pile was the right choice for this extensive project.
In addition, Gooimeer BV supplied steel pipes with a diameter of 1420 mm and a length of up to 33.5 meters with welded interlocks, whereby an interlock seal was also installed in the interlocks for a watertight construction.
The entire logistical handling on land and water was of course also handled by Gooimeer BV. All sheet piles and pipes were transported by water from the Netherlands to the various piling rigs at the construction site in Antwerp.
The Oosterweel connection project is a good example of how infrastructure can contribute to a healthy living environment.
Gooimeer BV is closely involved in the construction of these canal tunnels, as the company supplies the steel sheet piles and steel pipes required for the construction of the tunnels.
Gooimeer BV is proud to be able to contribute to this major project with its expertise and the supply of steel sheet piles and steel pipes, thus enabling Flanders to have a greener, more sustainable and better connected future.
Details of the steel sheet piles and pipes:
Type of sheet piles: ZZ28 700, ZZ36 700, ZZ40 700 and ZZ42-700
Lengths: up to 32.5 m
Pipes: diameter 1420 mm, lengths up to 33.5 meters
Total quantity: 13,200 tons (11,350 tons of sheet piling and 1,850 tons of pipes)
Execution: May 2024 – June 2025
Location: Antwerp
