A new 16.2-kilometre freight railway line, described as Belgium’s largest infrastructure project, is set to open at the Port of Antwerp this month.
The Liefkenshoek Railway Connection will link the port’s western and eastern docks either side of the Scheldt river, allowing trains from the port to avoid making the current 22-kilometre journey to Waasland via the Kennedy rail tunnel.
The railway will be opened by His Majesty King Philippe on December 9. The first freight trains will begin using the new line from December 14.
Construction of the ETCS-equipped link began in 2008. The Port of Antwerp has said the Liefkenshoek Railway Connection will allow percentage of containers transported by rail to increase from 10 to 15 per cent by 2020.
Infrabel has delivered the €765 million railway project through a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement with a MBG, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, CEI-De Meyer and Wayss & Freytag consortium.
The Liefkenshoek railway includes two tunnels, officially the longest rail tunnels in the country.
