On Thursday morning, the barriers at the Craeybeckx tunnel, which were positioned incorrectly horizontally due to a technical problem, caused hindrance and annoyance to drivers who got stuck. But in the short time since they were installed, they have already been deployed several times.
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In the course of 2021, the phased installation of the up to 14-metre high barriers at the entrances of four tunnels in the Antwerp region was started: the Beverentunnel and the Tijsmanstunnel on the R2, the Craeybeckxtunnel on the E19 and the Kennedytunnel. The Vierarmentunnel in Brussels was also fitted with such barriers. The Agency for Roads and Traffic decided to install them after Europe imposed certain rules regarding tunnel safety. For example, in the event of an incident in a tunnel, it must be possible to provide and enforce a diversion.
“In the past, traffic was stopped in tunnel incidents via dynamic lane signalling,” says Peter Bruyninckx of the Flemish Traffic Centre. “A red cross was intended to make it clear to road users that they could not continue. However, this was sometimes ignored, so that some still drove into the tunnels and thus potentially created a danger, for themselves but also for the emergency services. This can be avoided with the barriers as a physical barrier.”
The barriers, installed at the Craeybeckxtunnel, are up to 14 meters high. — © Dirk Kerstens
Activated several times
In the little under two years since the start of the installation, the barriers have already been activated a number of times, according to Bruynickx, including in the event of incidents in the Tijsmanstunnel and Beverentunnel. “Fortunately, it has not yet been necessary in the event of a fire or other tunnel disaster, but the procedure has already been used, for example, for hoisting works, to give the emergency services the necessary space for handling.”
When from the control center of the Flemish Traffic Center (located at the back of Antwerp Central station, ed.) if it is decided to close the tunnels, a reduced speed of the arriving traffic will initially be enforced via the dynamic signalisation. The red light then switches on at the barriers, as is also the case at barriers at a level crossing. Finally, the barriers are lowered.
The entire project cost 7 million euros at the time, of which Europe paid 2.6 million euros.
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