Refurbishment Seine Scheldt project

The Seine Scheldt project is a European initiative linking the Seine Basin (Paris region) with the Scheldt Basin (Antwerp). This water link between the two countries will enable shipping traffic for vessels of up to 4,500 tonnes (CEMT class e.g. vessels) and make inland navigation an equivalent alternative to freight traffic. In Flanders, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv, supported by the European Union, is leading this pilot project. For our country, this means specifically adapting 7 waterways. On the one hand, sailing capacity will be increased, but on the other there is a need to carry out river restoration, recreation on and along the water, and urban renewal.

Rome wasn’t built in a day and the redevelopment of the Seine-Scheldt link is being worked on in various stages too. De Vlaamse Waterweg has put the Lys at the forefront as a priority axis for the achievement of the Seine-Scheldt link. The most important bottlenecks will first be tackled as separate projects, as these often have the longest lead time. Examples of these projects are passages through city centres, locks and bridges that are typical bottlenecks for the waterway. Then the calibration works (this is the widening and deepening of the river) will be carried out from downstream to upstream. The Lys is hereby divided into several reaches (reach 140, 150, etc.), whereby a new reach begins at an important junction on the waterway (e.g. a lock complex or a junction in the waterway). These projects will be designed to be as nature-friendly as possible: more space for wet and dry nature, more experience, nature-friendly banks, etc. There will also be a great consideration for recreation and better access to the bicycle highways and bicycle networks around and along the Lys.

SBE is eager to be involved in the future development of Seine-Scheldt Flanders. At the moment, SBE is already hard at work on the following sub-projects:

Restructuring of the Lys and the lock complex at Harelbeke
The adaptation of the Lys and its surroundings in the centre of Menen (‘Menen Crossing’)
The calibration of the Lys between Sint-Baafs-Vijve and Deinze (‘Reach 140’)
The calibration of the Lys between Harelbeke and Sint-Baafs-Vijve (‘Reach 150’)
The construction of a new cycle bridge over the Lys in Wielsbeke and Waregem

Sub-project 1 : Lys works in Harelbeke

Discipline: port, river & hydraulic engineering, Civil engineering & infrastructure
Status: Completed

In order to make the Seine-Scheldt section navigable for ships up to 4,500 tonnes, the river Lys in Harelbeke needed to be made deeper. The future-proofing of the water site was accompanied by a new lock and barrage complex, the construction of 3 new bridges (2 fixed and 1 movable), bank defences, quay walls, soil protection and the redevelopment of the immediate surroundings.

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Sub-project 2 : Menen Crossing

Discipline: port, river & hydraulic engineering
Status: Study in progress

The works on the Lys crossing in Menen are on two fronts: on the one hand, the straightening of the Lys itself in the city centre—including new quay walls and a new bridge—and on the other, a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge at the edge of the project area.

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Sub-project 3 : Calibration of Lys Reach 140 Sint-Baafs-Vijve to Deinze

Discipline: port, river & hydraulic engineering, urbanism & design
Status: Study in progress

This sub-project includes the crossing of the river Lys between Sint-Baafs-Vijve and Deinze. In addition to the adaptation of the calibrated profile (especially from a nautical and hydraulic engineering point of view), this project also focuses on the ecological and landscape background.

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Sub-project 4 : Calibration of Lys Reach 150 Harelbeke to Sint-Baafs-Vijve

Discipline: port, river & hydraulic engineering, urbanism & design
Status: Study in progress

This sub-project includes the crossing of the Lys between Harelbeke and Sint-Baafs-Vijve. The Lys will be deepened and widened (calibrated) to allow larger ships to use the waterway. In addition to the adaptation from a nautical and hydraulic point of view, this project also focuses on the ecological and scenic aspects by installing nature-friendly banks.

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Sub-project 5 : Wielsbeke-Waregem cycle bridge

Discipline: CIVIL ENGINEERING & INFRASTRUCTURE, PORT, RIVER & HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING, URBANISM & DESIGN
Status: Study in progress

In this sub-project, a new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians will be built over the Lys near the municipality of Wielsbeke and the city of Waregem. Once completed, everyone will be able to experience the Lys and the tourist attractions on both banks safely and pleasantly. The main starting point for the design of the bridge, besides the usual technical requirements, is a spatial integration within the distinctive green landscape.

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