On January 11, 2027, the East tube of the Westerschelde Tunnel will close for concrete damage repairs. It has not yet been decided how the West tube will be used during the repair, which is expected to last four months. It is certain that opposing traffic (one lane north-south and the other south-north) will not be possible during the day.
Two possible variants are still being considered:
- The West tube remains in use for traffic from north to south (towards Terneuzen). Emergency services, public transport, and possibly some trucks can convoy from south to north (towards Borssele) every hour. This means all other road users from south to north must detour via Antwerp.
- Block driving: the driving direction in the West tube alternates every hour, with ten-minute intervals to clear the tunnel. Capacity then decreases to about a quarter of current users on average, requiring a vignette system to determine who may pass through the tunnel.
Major impact on tunnel users
It is a choice between two evils. In any case, during the repair period, half to three-quarters of current users must choose another option: not travel, travel at a different time, choose another mode of transport (public transport or Westerschelde Ferry), or detour. A decision between the variants awaits studies on the feasibility of a vignette system and a comparison of the two variants on social costs and benefits. By March 1 at the latest, it must be clear how the West tube will be used during the repair.
Opposing traffic not possible due to safety
Currently, opposing traffic is allowed during maintenance nights when traffic volume is very low. Due to safety, this is not possible with higher traffic volumes. Unlike tunnels in Switzerland or Italy, where this is common, the ventilation system of the Westerschelde Tunnel does not allow it. Since the tunnel is underwater, the ventilation system does not exhaust air upwards but along with the traffic. In case of a fire accident in the tunnel, drivers who have already passed the burning vehicle can safely exit, while drivers yet to pass remain out of the smoke. With opposing traffic, oncoming vehicles would be in the smoke, which is life-threatening.
The following animation explains again why opposing traffic in the tunnel is not possible during the day:
Package of accessibility measures
To maintain accessibility in Zeeland as much as possible while the capacity of one of the main traffic arteries is halved, a accessibility plan is being developed with a package of measures supporting each variant. Efforts are underway to have the Westerschelde Ferry operate on a half-hour schedule and to expand public transport. Under the direction of the Province, NV Westerscheldetunnel (which must apply for an opening permit), the municipality of Borsele (which must issue an opening permit later this year), the municipality of Terneuzen, and the Zeeland Safety Region are collaborating on the accessibility plan. Intensive consultations are also taking place with stakeholders: healthcare, education, logistics, businesses, and leisure economy.
By March 1 at the latest, the cooperating parties will decide how the West tube will be used during the repair period. Keep an eye on the digital channels of werkaandetunnel.nl to stay informed about developments.