People who drove their cars south on the A28 could not avoid it last winter: the leaks from the railway tunnel in Hoogeveen. Rijkswaterstaat had to temporarily close the tunnel because a layer of ice formed on the road surface.
Now there is light at the end of that tunnel. The repair work has started and a permanent solution is in sight.
Rijkswaterstaat is taking three measures to repair the tunnel. This makes the container waterproof. “We start by emptying the entire tunnel trough. We do this from segment to segment,” says area manager David Kuipers.
In addition, the water level around the tunnel will be lowered and the tunnel will have a special heating system. “If there is still some ice formation, we can heat it, which will thaw it faster,” says Kuipers. “Just like in your own bathroom, you place mats that run on electricity. They can be turned on or off.”
To see what exactly is wrong, Rijkswaterstaat performed a kind of keyhole surgery last year. This showed what was going on and what could be done about it. The company has also already taken temporary measures, such as spraying gel into the joints of the tunnel.
Sometimes work can be carried out at night or on a weekend. Rijkswaterstaat will take six weeks to restore the railway tunnel.
According to Kuipers, this is because the concrete has to harden and everything has to be done per segment. Only when one segment has hardened can the next segment begin.
That takes time. In addition, regular maintenance of the road is also carried out immediately.
The railway tunnel in the direction of Pesse will not be addressed. That side is newer than the side towards the south.
Rijkswaterstaat also carried out work there last year. The A28 will be open again in both directions from June 8.
