By rosebell
The contract notice was published in the EU’s Tenders Electronic Daily on 7 September under reference 615927-2026 and covers preparation of the Project Environmental Impact Assessment and associated environmental studies. Submissions are due on 6 October.
The new crossing is being developed as part of plans to increase capacity on the R2 around the northern side of Antwerp and allow the existing Tijsman Tunnel to undergo major rehabilitation.
Opened in 1967, the existing tunnel is approximately 820m long and carries two traffic lanes in each direction beneath the Kanaaldok. Lantis says the crossing has reached capacity, while weaving movements and differences in traffic speeds also create safety issues.
Feasibility work undertaken for Lantis concluded that the preferred strategy is to construct a new tunnel for through traffic before refurbishing the existing tunnel, allowing the Kanaaldok road connection to remain operational throughout the rehabilitation programme.
Design and preparatory studies are being undertaken by ElisAnt, the joint venture of Arcadis and Tractebel. Its brief includes studies, design, project support and project management for delivery of the second tunnel.
The project also forms part of Antwerp’s wider Toekomstverbond mobility strategy, under which additional capacity on the R2 is intended to provide a northern route for through and port traffic and reduce pressure on the R1 city ring.
Lantis has not yet publicly confirmed the final tunnel configuration, cross-section or construction method. The current environmental procurement therefore represents another preparatory step before the main civil works competition.
