Liefkenshoek Tunnel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Liefkenshoek Tunnel is a toll tunnel to the north of Antwerp under the River Schelde. The tunnel is a continuation of Highway R1, the ring motorway surrounding the city and harbour of Antwerp. In 2004 the tunnel was used by 4,676,441 vehicles. Positioned between the Beveren Tunnel and the Tijsmans Tunnel, the Liefenshoek Tunnel is the second of three sequential road tunnels running under the river and port installations.

Funding for the tunnel was provided by means of a ring fenced financing provision, so that tunnel revenues would not be accessible as general local government revenues. The toll is currently set at EUR 5 for vehicles lower than 2.75 meters, and EUR 16 for tall vehicles. However, when the southern portion of the ring road, via the Kennedy Tunnel, is subject to road works, leading to above average congestion, tolls on the Liefkenshoek Tunnel may be temporarily suspended in order to encourage drivers to use the (for most destinations longer) northern ring road round Antwerp rather than the (permanently toll free) southern route.

The tunnel takes its name from nearby Fort Liefkenshoek. It was constructed between 1987 and 1991, and opened on 10 July 1991. Usage and revenue were below forecast, possibly because on the Dutch side of the nearby frontier, between Bergen op Zoom and Dinteloord, a projected direct four lane highway towards Rotterdam, has never been built.