The Rinkoniên contractor consortium, consisting of Artes Group, CIT Blaton, Boskalis, Mobilis and Stadsbader can officially start work on the realization of the Oosterweel interchange and the renovation of the Royers Lock from today. For the past several months, negotiations have been going on behind the scenes to negotiate the cooperation contract between the various parties. That document received the signatures of all involved today. Work on the Oosterweel interchange and Royers Lock will begin over the summer.
New connection to Ring for port and Eilandje
The future on- and off-ramp complex, called the Oosterweel node, will give the southern part of the port and Eilandje a direct connection to the Antwerp Ring Road. The complex forms the link between the Scheldt Tunnel and the Kanaaltunnels. In 2030, users will be able to drive from here to Linkeroever via the Scheldetunnel or to the northern part of the Ring Road via the Kanaaltunnels. The new connection will significantly reduce freight and passenger traffic towards Groenendaallaan and Schijnpoort.
Better accessibility for the port and Albert canal
Rinkoniên is also taking on the renovation of the Royers Lock. The lock connects the Scheldt to the docks and to the Albert Canal beyond. After more than 100 years of faithful service, the lock is in need of renewal and is being converted to a high-performance barge lock.
The renovation is an important step in the modal shift to more sustainable modes of transportation within freight transport. The Royers Lock will be made considerably longer (from 180 to 230 meters in length) and wider (from 22 to 36 meters). "That will allow more and larger barges to easily move through the lock and thus increase transportation capabilities on the Albert Canal. This is how we get more trucks off the road and improve traffic flow on the road," Minister Peeters stressed.
About the cooperation
As builder of the Oosterweel interchange, Lantis is acting as contracting authority for the Oosterweel interchange and the renovation of the Royers Lock. Both projects account for some 500 million euros. The Maritime Surveillance Agency will assume coordination duties for the latter works. The works are being done by the same contractor so that the two sites can be coordinated to the maximum extent. The Flemish Government and Port of Antwerp, the client for the renovation, are providing 288 million euros. Lantis is taking on the financing of the Oosterweel node.
Dominique Valcke, CEO Stadsbader: "We are very pleased with the award of this major infrastructure project. This challenging project will revitalize the Belgian construction industry. It is important for Stadsbader to be a part of this, following the ongoing works on the Linkeroever."
