Milestone for the Scheldt Tunnel – tunnel elements reach riverbed

Longest immersed bicycle tunnel in the world

The ring road around Antwerp is notorious for heavy traffic congestion and endless traffic jams, with a negative impact on the liveability and health of nearby residents. In the new situation, the banks of the Scheldt will be connected by a tunnel complex with a separate bicycle tube, improving traffic flow on the Ring without disturbing the nature area above. With approximately 1.8 kilometres of cycling path, the new Scheldt Tunnel is also the longest immersed bicycle tunnel in the world.

Major logistical operation: giants on the move

From the construction dock in Zeebrugge, the eight tunnel elements were towed over water to Antwerp, where together they form a new connection between the banks of the Scheldt. The operation required exceptional logistical and technical precision, with the enormous tunnel elements manoeuvred into place using catamarans. BESIX and its partners in the TM COTU joint venture successfully immersed the giants. The tunnel is part of the Oosterweel Connection, for which ZJA is responsible for the architectural design. Read more about the project here.

The renewed Antwerp Ring Road is steadily taking shape, and work on other projects in Belgium in which ZJA Architects & Engineers is involved as architect is also progressing well. Amongst others also in Brussels work is ongoing on the ring road around Brussels and the realisation of a safe, comfortable and fast cycling connection alongside the Ring. The sports complexes in Willebroek and Linter are also taking shape and are expected to open in 2026.

In Bruges, the symbolic starting signal for the works on the redesign of the Bruges station area was given at the end of August, and the roof of the UNESCO Passage R30 has since been shifted. What was a dangerous junction for many years will be transformed in the coming years into a green and safe Station Park.

In Wijnegem, the recently opened car bridge has been nominated for the BeNeLux Steel Awards, to be presented in February 2026, and the final section of the bicycle bridge—a massive structure weighing 730 tonnes—has been installed. The opening is scheduled for April 2026. More news and images will follow.