Antwerp tunnel renovations cause disruption for cyclists

Cyclists and pedestrians in Antwerp have complained of long delays crossing the Scheldt river because the Sainte-Anne tunnel is undergoing repairs, namely of its wooden escalators dating from 1933.

The wooden escalators are listed as historic monuments but the old mechanisms that make them work need to be overhauled in a process which is expected to take eight weeks.

The escalators on the right bank have been completely closed since this week and will remain closed until 17 March while the Flemish Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) carries out the works.

“We're going to lift the steps of the staircase skeleton using a large crane, so we need space for this crane and for the site equipment,” AWV’s Stefanie Nagels told VRT.

The side panels of the escalators will also have to be moved, “which will create holes three metres deep” and result in a risk to public safety, hence the closure.

Cyclists and pedestrians must therefore take the lift, which is also designated as a historical monument and runs very slowly, resulting in significant queues for cyclists.

Fietsersbond, an association which represents cyclists, is calling for more staff in order to reduce the duration of the work, along with more frequent ferries as an alternative to the tunnel and its slow lift. AWV, however, simply advises that cyclists use the Kennedy Tunnel as an alternative.

AWV notes on its website that the escalators in the Saint-Anne tunnel "give the pedestrian tunnel its authentic appearance, but require ongoing maintenance due to their age and intensive use".

At peak times, the escalators carry an average of 55 people every five minutes, resulting in significant impact on the dated mechanism.

“It's not always easy to find replacement parts,” AWV added. “They are generally made to measure and are often only available abroad.”