Renovation of lifts in Antwerp Pedestrian Tunnel has started | Antwerp
AntwerpThe Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) will start on Monday with the renovation of the lifts of the Sint-Annatunnel, better known as the Pedestrian tunnel. After a few unsuccessful market calls, Motoren desmedt NV was finally the first to start to carry out the works
The Sint-Annatunnel, which is the Linkeroever near the Antwerp city center, is used by approximately 18,000 pedestrians and cyclists every day. However, the lifts often fail and a structural restoration of them turned out to be no easy task, partly because the access buildings are protected as a monument.
“The works cannot be compared with a classic elevator installation”, says Flemish Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters (Open Vld). “A complex set of older electromechanical parts is completely restored and in turn controlled by modern electrical converters and microcomputers. Old and new will work together to offer a reliable elevator installation while respecting the historical framework.”
Behind the scenes
The lifts on both sides of the tunnel should be operational by the end of the year. The user will then see little change, especially working behind the events, in the technical areas and lift shafts. The escalators will be permanently installed during the works to minimize disruption. Every two months there will be, in the meantime the tunnel will be during three simultaneous days.
The renovation of the lifts will cost 4.9 million euros.
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