Studies of four new locks of category Va

The locks at Obourg, Viesville, Gosselies and Marchienne-au-Pont need to be upgraded to the required dimensions on the Charleroi-Brussels and Centre canals in the Hainaut region. These are among the major European navigation routes with the objective of developing inland waterway transport.

The project foresees the construction of an CEMT Va (2000t) lock on these 4 sites next to newly renovated existing locks. The locks will have an overall size of 112.5×12.5 m, with falls varying from 5 m to 7.5 m. The Obourg lock will have the particularity of being 149 metres longer in order to obtain a structure of similar size to the locks located further downstream. Several related structures will also be built: crossing structures, bank walls, outports, technical buildings, control buildings for the locks, etc.

This project will improve navigation and reduce the environmental impact of transport. It will also significantly enrich the living environment of users and create spaces dedicated to cyclists, pedestrians and walkers.

A website: https://quatre-ecluses.be/ was created in the context of the environmental impact studies. This website includes some 3D renderings and gives a global understanding of the projects.