RhinelandRoute: tunnel in N434 called Corbulo tunnel

In the company of several "Romans," Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Delegate Floor Vermeulen and Aldermen Erika Spil (Voorschoten) and Ashley North (Leiden) unveiled the name. Cora van Nieuwenhuizen is pleased with this milestone: "The RijnlandRoute is a large and important infrastructure project in which the national government and the province of South Holland are working together. Despite the corona crisis, over the past few months construction has continued here in a rock-hard manner and today we are taking a beautiful new step. For this result, the builders and everyone else involved deserve a big compliment." 

Where did the name Corbulo tunnel come from? 

The name Corbulo tunnel comes from a famous Roman general, who 47 A.D. ordered the creation of a canal between the Rhine and Meuse rivers. The RhinelandRoute and the Romans have much in common. For example, the tunnel in the N434 passes under the Rhine-Schie Canal from Roman times. And along the N206 ir. G. Tjalmaweg near Valkenburg, also part of the RhinelandRoute, nearly 500 oak foundation piles have been excavated from the Roman frontier road that ran along the Old Rhine.  

Floor Vermeulen, deputy commissioner for traffic and transportation, South Holland province: "It is fascinating to think that 2000 years ago the Romans already understood the importance of good roads and invested in them. Now we are doing it again so that the region around Leiden and Katwijk remains easily accessible. As a province, we want to offer residents the choice of how they do so; by bicycle, public transport, but also by car. The RijnlandRoute is good for the economy in the region. We also fit the RijnlandRoute here so nicely, so that 't area remains a pleasant environment to be in. And in doing so, we are making South Holland better every day, inspired also by the Romans." 

Importance for Holland Rhineland, Voorschoten and Leiden 

Also present at the unveiling was Arno van Kempen of Holland Rijnland, as one of the interested parties and financiers of the RijnlandRoute.Because of the interests of the municipalities of Voorschoten and Leiden in the coming of the tunnel, both aldermen also participated in the unveiling of the name. Alderman Erica Spil: "I am glad that the tunnel will not change the Voorschoten area above ground, with its greenery, sports facilities and beautiful monuments such as the Berbice estate." Leiden City Councilor Ashley North adds: "We are looking forward to the arrival of the RijnlandRoute, because with, among other things, the new road link N434 in combination with the future Leidse Ring Noord, we will ensure that traffic in the future will bypass the inner city of Leiden and will be able to enter the city at targeted locations. The RijnlandRoute will thus contribute to a car-free city centre.."  

The project section N206 Europaweg with the approach to the Lammenschansplein and the raising of the Lamme bridge is a crucial part of the RijnlandRoute for both municipalities. The municipalities are therefore pleased with the concrete steps being taken here. 

Completion of the Corbulo tunnel  

In the coming period, the Corbulo tunnel will be further completed, furnished and prepared for commissioning. Rick Pattipeilohy, project director of contractor combination Comol5: "Meanwhile, we have started the completion of the first tunnel tube. Such as the construction of the cross passages in the tunnel, through which people can escape in case of an emergency. We are building these passages using a technique in which we freeze the ground. Furthermore, we are installing the cable ducts above which we are making the road surface. We are also starting to set up the tunnel technical installations, which have already been fully assembled and tested at our test site, which will save a lot of time later on. These include the fire alarm system, lighting, cameras and emergency telephones. From the beginning of next year, the modules will be installed ready to go and we will connect all the wiring."  

It is planned that the first cars will be able to drive through the new Corbulo Tunnel starting in 2023.  

Learn more 

The RijnlandRoute is divided into 3 projects, which are interconnected:  

1. The new road (N434) between the A4 and the A44, including a tunnel of about 2.5 kilometers and a sunken position of about 1.4 kilometers and modifications to the A4 and A44.  

2. The widening of the Ir. G. Tjalmaweg (N206) from its junction with the N441 Katwijk to the Torenvliet bridge. 

3. The widening of Europaweg (N206) between the A4 and Rooseveltstraat in Leiden.  

The 1st section of the RijnlandRoute is being built by Comol5, an international contractor combination of the TBI companies Mobilis and Croonwolter&Dros, Vinci Construction Grands Projets and DIMCO. 

More information about the RijnlandRoute can be found at www.rijnlandroute.nl