Kandt delivers precision work in mega project Oosterweel connection

During InfraTech 2025, Kandt Aannemings- en Funderingsbedrijf managed to present itself strongly. "We continuously had people in our booth, strengthening existing relationships and making new contacts," says Marco Kandt. "It was a great opportunity to highlight our specialty in complex foundation issues." One such project is taking place in Antwerp, where Kandt is making a major contribution to one of Europe's largest infrastructure projects: the improvement of the Antwerp Ring Road. 

This large-scale project, which is all about improving mobility and enhancing livability in the region, is being commissioned by Lantis. 

Deepened Antwerp Ring Road

This unique project is being carried out by several consortia, including TM Roco. This construction consortium, which includes some of the largest contractors from Belgium and the Netherlands, is responsible for the realization of the largest parcel of the Oosterweel connection, closing the Ring around Antwerp. The rounding of the Antwerp Ring Road and the reconstruction of the road infrastructure, with parts of the Ring Road deepened (tunneling), will allow traffic to move more safely and smoothly in the future. It will also bring the Ring into better harmony with the urban environment, by directing traffic partly through tunnels and canopies, creating space above ground for parks and green spaces. 

Construction of new Great Shine Inoculation (IGS).

Within this framework, Kandt is involved in a specific sub-project: Incokering Groot Schijn (IGS). The IGS part of the project involves relocating the existing watercourse of the river 'Groot Schijn' for the Vlaamse MilieuMaatschappij. The existing encasement of the river is in the way of the construction of the future sunken Ring Road and therefore needs to be relocated. This is a technically challenging process, in which Kandt was engaged because of his expertise in foundation works under limited working height and with minimal vibration disturbance.

"Our specialization comes into its own here," Marco explains. "We work at the height of the Sportpaleis, under the existing Antwerp Ring Road, and that means we have to deal with height restrictions. Much of our work must therefore be carried out with adapted techniques and machinery."

Low-vibration and vibration-free installation of sheet piles

To construct the new containment barrier, Kandt is installing sheet pile walls. This is done partly low-vibration and partly vibration-free, depending on the location and the surrounding infrastructure. "A particular challenge was the section where the sheet piles cross the pre-metro under Antwerp," Marco continues. "There we not only had to install vibration-free sheet piles, but we also had to come up with a specific solution." Marco explains that a starting shaft was made at that spot in the past for a tunnel boring machine. "That meant we had to go through a huge concrete massif with our sheet piling. We applied a special drilling tip for this purpose that allows us to pulverize underground obstacles." This process, which involved crushing the obstacle, took several weeks and was carried out entirely within the existing height restrictions. "It takes precision and experience to carry out this kind of work safely and efficiently," Marco said. Meanwhile, the low-vibration sheet piles have been successfully installed and the team is in the process of installing the vibration-free sheet piles in that particular section.

New assignment: drilling through existing anchors

In addition to the current work, Kandt is also involved in the next phase of the project. "A little further along the route are existing embankment walls with anchoring, which are in the way of creating a new tunnel wall. The existing anchors below ground must be drilled through to make room for a new diaphragm wall," Marco says. "This diaphragm wall will serve as one of the tunnel walls of the sunken Ring Road. Here, too, we are applying a special drilling method to remove the existing anchors safely and in a controlled manner."

Kandt's work within the Oosterweel connection illustrates the company's specialized nature. "This type of project requires customized solutions and innovative foundation techniques. We are proud to be able to make an essential contribution to the future of the Antwerp Ring," says Marco, concluding, "A challenging project - and exactly the kind of work where Kandt feels at home."