Originally, the repair of the anchors that hold the tunnel floor in place was expected to be completed at the end of this year. “However, the work involves many uncertainties and challenges,” outgoing Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management) explains the delay.
Space needed to be filled
We are working in a new way, which does not require lowering the groundwater level. By doing it this way, the risk of damage to nearby buildings is minimal, according to Rijkswaterstaat. The road manager is responsible for the repair of the tunnel in the A7 highway between Sneek and Joure.
The groundwater level is an all-determining factor: the high level in combination with rusted anchors caused the problems at the end of 2022. Installing new anchors is not going as smoothly as planned, additional measures were needed. Such as filling hollow spaces. And still lower the groundwater level. All in all, this all took longer than planned.
Another delaying factor is that large bags of ballast are placed to prevent the tunnel floor from rising further unexpectedly. These are constantly moved, including the road plates and concrete dividing blocks. That all takes time too.
Disappointment
The result is that the work will not be completed at the end of this year, but a year later. Until then, traffic can only use one lane in each direction. And the maximum speed is 50 kilometers per hour. “A setback for road users and the environment,” said Minister Harbers.
