Unlocking River Traffic: The Auvelais Lock Development Project for Increased Passage Capacity

2023-08-29 15:41:00

This important project is part of the vast Seine-Escaut project and aims to develop this Auvelais lock to allow the passage of boats which have a depth of 2.80 m, once morest 2.60 currently. This makes it a limiting obstacle on the entire Walloon ridge. Large vessels must be loaded below their capacity if they want to pass the lock and their approach can be tricky, depending on flow conditions.

This project wants to remedy this and consists, details a press release from the Public Service of Wallonia – Infrastructures, in deepening the shallowest zone of the lock, changing the gates and replacing the valves which are used to fill the lock.

Once this work has been completed, it is still planned to complete underwater deepening of the rear apron (slab located downstream of the lock, at the beginning of October).

This project is of capital importance since, with the forthcoming construction of the Seine-Escaut canal (40% subsidized by Europe) in France and the connection of the Meuse and the Namur Sambre to the Seine basin, an increase river traffic is expected, as well as an increase in the proportion of larger vessels. Furthermore, compliance with Walloon commitments in terms of reducing greenhouse gases also requires an increase in river traffic.

As a reminder, the construction of the Auvelais lock began in May 2021.

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