The Westerscheldetunnel from Terneuzen to South-Beveland
In 1996, Wayss & Freytag was awarded the contract for the construction of the Westerschelde Tunnel by the Dutch government and the Dutch province Zeeland in a joint venture consisting of five further partners, among them also the present holding company Royal BAM. The tunnel, consisting of two tubes with outer diameters of 11.33 m and lengths of 6.6 km each, connects the province Zeeland-Flanders with the South-Beveland peninsula. Start of construction was in November 1997 and the grand opening took place in the presence of her Majesty Queen Beatrix on March 14, 2003.
Each tunnel tube has a road with two one-way lanes with a width of 3.50 m each. The inner lining of the hydroshield driven tunnels consists of 45 cm thick concrete segments and a 16.5 cm thick annular gap grouting, so that the clear diameter is 10.10 m. Both tunnels were driven from Terneuzen simultaneously. The decisive factor for the choice of the tunnel boring machine was the high water pressure during the passing under the „Pas van Terneuzen“ of 60 m (!) below sea level.
With emergency tunnels every 250 m, a fire-proof lining, which corresponds to the extremely high temperature requirements in accordance with Rijkswaterstaat, a calculation of all bearing structures for a life span of 100 years and an innovative safety system, the Westerschelde Tunnel is one of the safest tunnels in the world.
Further details:
- 1,330,000 m³ excavated ground
- 52,000 concrete segments
- 240,000 m² fire-proof lining
- 4.5 % maximum incline
- 27,000 vehicles / day