TEN-T Annual Programme The Albert Canal: lifting of bridges and Member States involved: upgrading to class VIb

Belgium 2011-BE-93067-P Implementation schedule Start date: April 2012 End date: December 2014

Budget: National budget: €30,078,000

Total project cost covered by this Decision: €33,420,000

EU contribution: €3,342,000

Percentage of EU support: Studies: 10%

Additional information: European Commission, DG MOVE http://ec.europa.eu/transport/ index_en.html

Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) http://inea.ec.europa.eu

The global project has two aims. The first aim is the lifting of all the bridges over Beneficiary & implementing body: the Albert Canal to a clearance height of 9.10 m. (after this bridge elevation, Flemish Ministry of Mobility and Public four-layer container transport on the Albert Canal will be possible, and the Works Albert Canal will become more easily accessible for Short Sea Shipping). The www.mow.vlaanderen.be second aim is the expansion of the wet section (width x water depth) of the Albert Canal between Wijnegem and up to a minimum of 380 m² (after this expansion, the Albert Canal will be accessible for Class VI ships over its entire length, from Antwerp to Liège).

The Action has 4 main objectives. The first is the reconstruction of the bridges at Viersel (including widening the navigable width under the bridge), Olen Hoogbuul and Meerhout Veedijk (widening the navigable width will be done in the next phase and is not included in this action). Secondly, the lifting the E-34 bridges at Ranst (no widening applies). Thirdly, lifting the push-tow lock bridges at Olen, Kwaadmechelen, and Diepenbeek (no widening applies). Finally the reconstruction of the 300 m banks at and with the construction of a new dam wall and intention of deepening the Albert Canal at those locations in the future in order to realise a wet section of at least 380 m².

State of progress on 31 December 2013: The project is encountering several delays on different activities but most of the activities are expected to be completed by end of 2014 except the construction of the Olen-Hoogbuul bridge which is expected to be completed in May 2015.

Update: May 2014