BESIX Netherlands, in collaboration with its partners in the De Groene Boog consortium, has announced the receipt of the Availability Certificate for the A16 Rotterdam project in the Netherlands.

Issued by Rijkswaterstaat, the certificate confirms that the new A16 motorway meets the standards required by the Design, Build, Finance and Maintain (DBFM) contract. The A16 Rotterdam, an 11-km stretch of motorway featuring the Rottemeren tunnel, is nearly complete from a construction standpoint. The certificate recognizes that the infrastructure is ready for the next phase, which includes final preparations for opening and the start of a 20-year maintenance period. Despite receiving the Availability Certificate, there is still work to be done before the A16 Rotterdam can open to the public. Upcoming tasks include:

• the testing of the 54 systems of the Rottemer Tunnel;
• securing the operational permit from the Municipality of Lansingerland;
• completing various infrastructure elements, such as connecting the A16 to existing road networks, building bicycle paths and creating a green zone on the tunnel roof; and
• Additionally, the final touches will be applied to the recreational bridge, designed to serve both people and wildlife and to the viaduct over Rotterdam's Hoofdweg. 

In addition to BESIX Nederland, De Groene Boog consists of Dura Vermeer, Mobilis TBI, Croonwolter&dros, Van Oord, Rebel and John Laing. Together, they are responsible for the design, construction, financing, and long-term maintenance of the A16 Rotterdam. This milestone ensures that the project remains on track for its opening at the end of 2025.