After almost two years of work, the tunnel under the Randweg A2 and N2 of Eindhoven at the Batadorp junction is ready. The official opening, complete with confetti, light show and drinks, was this Monday. But a day earlier the public could already go there for cycling, walking, scootering and skating. From Tuesday, all traffic can use the new connection between Eindhoven Airport and the city.
Outgoing Minister Mark Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management and Eindhoven councilor Stijn Steenbakkers opened the new tunnel under the A2/N2. This puts an end to a gigantic job that took four years and should relieve the northwestern part of Eindhoven of all congestion.
“Necessary,” says councilor Steenbakkers. “The growth of Eindhoven continues unabated. A good road network for all road users, which is ready for the future, is of great importance.” Harbers calls Eindhoven ‘very important for the Dutch economy’. “That is why we are also working hard on its accessibility,” said the minister.
‘Quite exciting’
According to Sjaak Gerritsen, project manager at construction company Strukton, the construction of the tunnel was a ‘monstrous job’. “You don’t do something like that every day,” says Gerritsen. “And it was an important project, so quite exciting.” Two hundred people from the municipality of Eindhoven, Strukton and Rijkswaterstaat, among others, worked on the construction of the tunnel alone.
The new tunnel is 105 meters long and 6.9 meters high and should reduce traffic congestion at the Batadorp junction and the Antony Fokkerweg. In addition, the underpass should also ensure that freight traffic can more easily leave the GDC business park in Acht. The tunnel also provides a better connection with the Brainport Industries Campus and Eindhoven Airport.
Four years of construction
In addition to the tunnel, adjustments have previously been made to the area, such as the Tegenbosch bicycle bridge that runs over the highway. In addition, new access roads to and from the A2, N2 and A58 have been constructed. The complete road project took a total of four years to complete. A total of nine new bridges, bicycle tunnels and viaducts have been constructed and eight kilometers of new road surfaces.