De Groene Boog

To improve access to and quality of life in the Rotterdam region, Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) has decided to construct a new motorway: the A16, along the northeast periphery of Rotterdam.

A combination of BESIX, Dura Vermeer, Van Oord, John Laing, Rebel and TBI, named ‘De Groene Boog’ is responsible for designing, building and pre-financing the project as well as managing a twenty-year maintenance period. By the end of 2024, the A16 will reopen to traffic.

The project sets the bar high to be as sustainable as possible. And it does that by fitting its surroundings seamlessly and being energy neutral.

The tunnel includes smart solutions for the electricity, heating and lighting required.
The lighting will ensure optimum safety. Wherever possible, sunlight will stream in through grilles and fibre-glass panels. Special LED lighting will also be installed. At the entrance to the tunnel, the lanes and walls will be painted in a light colour to maximise reflection.

All the installations and systems will run on DC voltage, a first for a project of that size, which is a more sustainable and reliable system than AC voltage.

The energy will come from solar panels (around 20,000 m2/tunnel). Residual heat will be stored in the ground and released when required.
All this enables the project to make energy savings of 47%.

With regard to the surroundings, the road will be incorporated into the landscape as effectively as possible.
Noise pollution will be prevented by using extra noise-reducing asphalt on the A16 road surface (dual-layer fine porous asphalt, ZOAB) as well as noise barriers and earth embankments.
Adjoining areas will be re-landscaped and connected by cycling and walking paths.