What is this remarkable construction along the Turnhoutsebaan N127 in Diest (Belgium)?

For several weeks, a remarkable project has steadily been taking shape along the Turnhoutsebaan in Diest. An almost 5-metre high retaining wall is being erected along the new road by the BESIX Infra team. We wonder why it is being built there and how it got its remarkable colour and relief.

The story

The Belgian Roads and Traffic Agency has asked BESIX Infra to carry out a thorough redesign of the Turnhoutsebaan in Diest, including the construction of safe, separate paths for cyclists on both sides of the road. The cramped and hilly layout of the road, however, made it difficult for our team to carry out the requested redesign, so a qualitative and safe solution was sought.

Integrated into the landscape

In order to create sufficient space for the bicycle path, part of the slope along the roadway was excavated. To guarantee the stability of the built-up slope, a retaining wall was subsequently constructed. Over a distance of no less than 158 meters, this high wall is firmly anchored in a horizontal floor slab as thick as 80 centimetres and cast in reinforced concrete on site. Remarkable here is the use of specific structural elements, which were mounted against the system formwork and into which the concrete is poured. Together with the use of coloured brown concrete, the team succeeded in imitating the look of ironstone and integrating the retaining wall optimally into the landscape.

And now?

The team is working from now until mid-March on the final finishing touches, such as foundation and concreting works. From mid-February, the intersection of Turnhoutsebaan (N127) and Citadellaan (R26) will be tackled. By the end of April, the works will be fully completed and the Turnhoutsebaan will be open to all traffic again.

BESIX Infra

BESIX Infra is among the Top 5 in the Belgian infrastructure market, both for public and private clients. The company carries out road works, the construction of sewerage networks and public spaces. Since 2017, it has been part of BESIX Group. Recently, it has extended its expertise in road works to the Netherlands with the creation of BESIX Infra Nederland.