Press

The Oosterweel Link is a new 15km-long motorway connection that is being developed by Lantis to complete the Antwerp ring road R1 in Belgium. The project consists of five sub-projects, including Linkeroever, Zwijndrecht, Scheldt tunnel, Oosterweel junction, Canal Tunnels and R1-Noord.

In addition to those five sub-projects, the Oosterweel Link focuses on integrating sustainable mobility options, such as the construction of bike routes. Furthermore it aims to improve the city’s air quality by adding green spaces to the urban area.

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The five sub-projects of the Oosterweel Link:

Simulation Left Bank - Junction Antwerp - West

Linkeroever ("the left bank") & Zwijndrecht

The new highway infrastructure on the left bank and Zwijndrecht was completed in 2024. The highway infrastructure was entirely redesigned and optimized, making it safer to enter and exit the highway. The connection between Linkeroever and the Antwerp harbour also improved significantly. To ensure safety in the living areas, a local ring road was constructed to divert heavy traffic away from the town centres. That way, heavy traffic stays on the main highway for as long as possible. Both the highway and the local ring road are equipped with green noise barriers to reduce traffic noises for people living nearby.

An additional 16.5 km of bicycle infrastructure was created in this area and a new Park & Ride building was constructed. For a 24-hour parking ticket, visitors pay 1€. In order to reach the Park & Ride, the tramline from and to the city has been extended. This measure has improved the traffic flow in the city.

Rinkoniên is the contractor consortium for this sub-project of the Oosterweel Link. This consortium is comprised of the following companies: Artes Group (BE), CIT Blaton (BE), Stadsbader (BE), Mobilis (NL).

Scheldt tunnel

The new Scheldt tunnel will provide a much-needed extra crossing of the river Scheldt. It will shift the traffic of the southern side to the northern side and reduce congestion at the same time. While the Scheldt tunnel's final location is in Antwerp, its eight tunnel elements are built near the coast, in Zeebrugge. Each element weighs 65.000 tons and is 160 meters long, 40 meters wide and 10 meters high. In 2025 the tunnel elements will be transported over the river Scheldt from Zeebrugge to Antwerp. An extraordinary operation!

The tunnel will contain five shafts. Two shafts, containing three lanes each, are for motorized traffic. Aside from that the tunnel will contain one emergency or escape shaft, one bicycle shaft and one shaft for technical equipment.

COTU is the contractor consortium for this sub-project of the Oosterweel Link. This consortium is comprised of the following companies: BESIX (BE), DEME (BE), Stadsbader Contractors (BE), Jan De Nul (BE).

Simulation Scheldt Tunnel

Simulation Oosterweel junction

Oosterweel junction

The Oosterweel junction is located on the right bank of the Scheldt and connects the Scheldt tunnel with the Canal tunnels. The interchange contains entry and exit lanes to the harbour and the north of Antwerp, and forms a crucial link for completing the ring road.

The Oosterweel junction will be embedded in the landscape and will be partially covered by parcs. Not only will it provide several connections for motorized traffic, it will also be a bicycle hub with several bicycle routes connecting the harbour and the city. The name for the junction comes from the old harbour-town that once was located here. One building still remains: the church. It will be renovated and will become the landmark for the Oosterweel junction.

Rinkoniên Oosterweelknoop is the contractor consortium for this sub-project of the Oosterweel Link. This consortium is comprised of the following companies: Artes Group (BE), CIT Blaton (BE), Stadsbader (BE), Mobilis (BE), Boskalis (NL).

Canal tunnels

The Canal tunnels will be located at the bottom of the Albert canal and will connect the Oosterweel junction and the existing ring road R1. The Canal tunnels are comprised of four tunnels: two adjacent tunnels of two stories high. The building method is different than the Scheldt tunnel, as the Canal tunnels will be built on-site.

ROCO is the contractor consortium for this sub-project of the Oosterweel Link. This consortium is comprised of the following companies: BESIX (BE), BESIX INFRA (BE), Cordeel (BE), DEME (BE), Denys (BE), Franki Construct (BE), Jan De Nul (BE), Van Laere (BE), Willemen Infra (BE).

Simulation Canal tunnels

Simulation-R1-East

Embedding the existing Ring Road R1 and the Bypass *

The Ring Road (R1) will undergo a major overhaul. The Merksem Viaduct will be dismantled to make room for a lowered, partially covered ring road set below ground level. Consequently, the existing R1 Ring Road will no longer be visible, creating a vast open space for sports, recreation, and play.

The conversion from a viaduct to a sunken ring road with park areas is a substantial undertaking. To ensure uninterrupted traffic flow during the construction, a temporary motorway or Bypass will be constructed. This Bypass will serve as an alternative route to the current ring road, allowing us to divert traffic away from the Deurne and Merksem districts. (*)Find more information about the Bypass on the Bypass website.

ROCO is the contractor consortium for this part of sub- project of the Oosterweel Link. This consortium is comprised of the following companies: BESIX (BE), BESIX INFRA (BE), Cordeel (BE), DEME (BE), Denys (BE), Franki Construct (BE), Jan De Nul (BE), Van Laere (BE), Willemen Infra (BE).

Ocotech is the contractor consortium working across all the sub-projects. They are responsible for the traffic- and tunnel technical installation of the entire Oosterweel link. This consortium is comprised of the following companies: Equans (BE), BESIX Unitec (BE), Jacops (BE), NV Deckx Elektromechanica (BE).

Media

Near the concert venue Sportpaleis, the Ring Road (R1) will undergo a major overhaul. The Merksem Viaduct will be dismantled to make room for a lowered, partially covered ring road set below ground level.

The new Scheldt tunnel will provide a much-needed extra crossing of the river Scheldt. It will shift the traffic of the southern side to the northern side and reduce congestion at the same time

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Contact

Are you a journalist and do you have a question, a request for an interview or do you need extra information for an article or report?

Contact Annik Dirkx, Deputy Director of Environment & Spokesperson:

annik.dirkxlantis.be (annik[dot]dirkx[at]lantis[dot]be) - +32 (0)479 79 46 50

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About the Oosterweel Link

The Oosterweel Link is a large-scale project designed to improve mobility and quality of life in and around Antwerp. It involves completing the Antwerp Ring Road by building tunnels and redesigning highway infrastructure to create more liveable and accessible neighbourhoods.

On the Left Bank and in Zwijndrecht, roads have been completely redesigned and optimised to ensure liveable village centres. On the Right Bank, the plan includes a new Scheldt tunnel, a new paperclip-shaped junction near the former Oosterweel village, and two Canal tunnels linking this junction to the R1 Ring Road.

The Merksem viaduct will be removed and replaced with a lowered, partially covered ring road below ground level. This change will make the existing R1 Ring Road invisible, opening up space for parks, green areas, and recreational facilities. Districts and neighbourhoods that were previously divided by the R1 Ring Road will be reconnected, creating healthier and more green spaces.

The project also improves and expands the bicycle network, making cycling safer and more convenient.

Construction work is being carried out by several contractor groups, with Lantis overseeing the process. For more details, visit www.oosterweelverbinding.be.

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