Antwerp Photo Gallery - Sint-Annatunnel

The city had already decided in the 1870s of the need to connect both banks of the river, but proposals to build a bridge were rejected as it may impede shipping traffic below. It wasn't until 1931 when the tunnel proposal was adopted. The 572m-long Sint-Annatunnel opened in 1933 and is now used by both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Scheldt, with wooden escalators on both sides to connect you from 31.5m underground back to the ground. Wooden escalators are exceedingly rare nowadays, with the wood steps weighing about 40kg each, and the whole bit made by Jaspar, a Belgian company. Up to 4 million people a year use the tunnel, with 85% opting to take the wooden escalators. It is worth the long walk since lovely skyline views await on the Linkeroever (left) side.