Central to this infrastructural renewal is a brand new tunnel under the A2/N2, strategically located near the GDC Acht business park.
The long-term vision for smoother and more efficient mobility in Eindhoven came one step closer to realization on Monday, October 2, when Mark Harbers, outgoing Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, together with Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers of the municipality of Eindhoven, officially opened the new road structure in Eindhoven Northwest. This opening marks an important milestone, not only for the city but also for the wider Brainport Eindhoven region, known as one of the most important technology and industry hubs in the Netherlands.
A2/N2
Central to this infrastructural renewal is a brand new tunnel under the A2/N2, strategically located near the GDC Acht business park. In his opening speech, Harbers emphasized the economic importance of this region, with major players such as the Brainport Industries Campus, GDC Acht and Eindhoven Airport. “A lot of work has literally been done in this region,” said Harbers. “We have economic gold in our hands here in the area.”
But the project is not just about economic expansion; it also takes into account the daily users of the roads. According to the minister, minimal inconvenience has been caused to the local community through smart design and phased implementation. In fact, the tunnel was put into use earlier than planned and was already accessible in the summer. Harbers also mentioned other completed projects such as an elegant arch bridge, a bicycle tunnel, a fast cycle route and a high-quality connection to public transport.
"Good accessibility is not a luxury. It says something about the state and strength of our beautiful country."
The emphasis on excellent infrastructure fits within a larger Dutch policy framework aimed at attracting and retaining companies. “In the Netherlands we have a healthy business climate for companies where accessibility and traffic flow are well organised,” says Harbers. The minister also pointed out that maintenance is a crucial part of this policy.
In his speech, Alderman Stijn Steenbakkers of the municipality of Eindhoven paid a well-deserved tribute to the professionals who worked on this large-scale project. “I would first like to give a very warm applause to the professionals who really worked here, in the evening, at night, in extreme weather with snow and 35 degrees,” Steenbakkers emphasized. These words were in recognition of the physical and logistical efforts made by the construction team to make the new infrastructure possible.
"There is a very proud councilor for Brainport and Eindhoven Northwest here. Not only because this is fantastic, but also that the tunnel was completed within budget."
To illustrate the scale of this impressive project, Steenbakkers shared some impressive figures. More than 44.000 cubic meters of soil was excavated for the construction of the tunnel and associated structures. It was then necessary to replace 18.000 cubic meters of soil. The project includes no fewer than nine bridges, several viaducts and a bicycle tunnel. The tunnel itself is 105 meters long, consists of four tunnel boxes of 12 meters each and was supported by 1.600 tons of armament. A total of 7800 cubic meters of concrete was used. The final construction will include 8 kilometers of new road, 26 kilometers of markings and 3,5 kilometers of road barriers.
With this new addition to its public infrastructure, Eindhoven has not only laid the foundation for economic growth and improved accessibility, but also set a new standard for infrastructure projects at local and national levels. It project Eindhoven North West was completed with the opening of this final phase.
extra treat
There was an extra treat for the residents of Eindhoven and the surrounding region. A day before the official opening, interested parties could already explore the new tunnel on foot, by scooter or by bicycle, an opportunity that was enthusiastically seized by many. The project, which took two years to complete worked has now been fully opened to car and freight traffic, which will significantly improve the flow and accessibility of this economically vital zone. From Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the new tunnel under the A2/N2 will be open to all motorized traffic.
