Upgrading The Bossuit-Kortrijk Canal to facilitate sustainable transport

The Bossuit-Kortrijk Canal is an important link in the further development and strengthening of inland navigation in Flanders and Europe. Through upgrading the canal, the waterway will become a full-fledged connection between the Leie and the Scheldt rivers for inland vessels up to 3 000 tonnes.

Achieving sustainable transport while creating a sustainable environment

In this project, the aim is to facilitate the sustainable transport of goods on an international scale while creating a sustainable environment on a local scale: for instance, through integrating nature and water in the centre of Kortrijk as a cooling element.

In the current research phase, the client De Vlaamse Waterweg NV is examining various alternatives. The potential effects on environment and nature, heritage, mobility and surroundings are identified and listed for each alternative.

The biggest adjustments are in the centre of Kortrijk, where the connection with the Leie River is made. The current canal in Kortrijk is narrow and shallow and contains three small, heritage protected locks.

In the future, one new lock will absorb a water level difference of more than 7 metres.
In addition to the adjustment of the current canal, Sweco consultants are also investigating an alternative route to the south of, and parallel with, the R8 autoroute bridge.

Although both projected routes have a significant impact on the spatial environment, this impact can also be seen as an opportunity to enhance the environment, and to create added value for inland navigation mobility, ecological structures, and urban development.

Less road traffic, more safety and a cleaner environment

The canal will facilitate the flow of goods on inland waterways and emit 2 to 3 times less CO2 than other modes of transport. In addition, it will provide a concrete answer to the energy and ecological transition, with less road traffic, more safety and a cleaner environment.

This assignment is part of the Seine Scheldt project to connect Belgium and France with each other and the rest of Europe via a network that can handle larger cargo shipments by barge, making inland navigation a fully-fledged sustainable alternative to road freight transport.

Design and development solutions by Sweco

Sweco is co-responsible for the deepening of the waterway, the raising of bridges and modernisation of certain locks on the Bossuit-Kortrijk Canal. Sweco is also providing the consultation and cooperation between the authorities involved, along with the communication and participation towards the stakeholders.

Community participation and workshops

Various workshops have been organised with the local community to arrive at a complete and supported research memorandum. Through explanatory notes, maps and scale models., residents have gained insight into the complexity of the research and the consequences of the various possibilities. Approaching this project as more than solely an infrastructure project, Sweco consultants have defined an integrated way of working.

A more climate-proof European transport network

By making the canal accessible for ships up to 3 000 tonnes (or the equivalent of 200 truckloads), this project contributes to a more climate-proof European transport network. In less than 40 years after completion, more than 400 000 tonnes of CO2 will have been reduced. The project thus contributes to the ambitions of a climate-neutral and high-quality living environment.