The new bicycle tunnel connects the bike path around the Kluizendok with the companies operating there. This will make commuting by bike in the port much safer and smoother.
The tunnel connects the more than 7 km long two-way bike path around the Kluizendok with the business estate between the railway and the waterfront. The tunnel dives under the recently constructed ring track, which ensures smooth freight transport to the surrounding businesses. Thanks to this tunnel, cyclists can safely cross the track and ride to and from the residential areas in Zelzate, Evergem and Ghent via the adjacent bike bridge over the R4-West.
The tunnel has a length of 16 metres and a width of 4.5 metres, with slopes of 55 metres on both sides. "The tunnel was built in cooperation with rail operator Infrabel," said North Sea Port COO Peter Van Parys. "Together, we are working on a rail connection between the Kluizendok and the Netherlands, as part of the cross-border rail project Rail Ghent Terneuzen. A safe and liveable port is the objective."
Official inauguration
The official inauguration took place on Tuesday, 1 July, in the presence of the port authority North Sea Port, the Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, the contractor Persyn, the municipalities of Evergem and Zelzate, and the companies involved.
"North Sea Port actively invests in sustainable mobility. With the construction of this bicycle tunnel, we are creating a safe and comfortable connection for the many employees who cycle to work every day. This tunnel is part of the 30 kilometres of bike paths we are constructing in the port area, increasing the livability of our port," says Peter van Parys, COO of North Sea Port.
"This new connection is an important step in improving cycling safety and mobility in the region. With this investment in connecting bike paths and public lighting, we are realising another part of the Raamplan Fiets Gentse Kanaalzone," said Kurt Moens, first deputy of Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen.
184 kilometres of bike paths in the port
The bicycle tunnel is part of North Sea Port's ambitious plans for a new cycling infrastructure. By 2029, the port authority wants to construct 30 kilometres of additional bike paths. This will bring the total length to 184 kilometres, with over 107 kilometres in the Ghent area and 77 kilometres in the Zeeland part of the port area. These bike paths connect to local and supra-local bicycle highways, creating a smooth and safe network for cyclists in and around the port.
Furthermore, the construction of the cycle tunnel went side by side with the construction of the new ring track in the Kluizendok. You could have already read about this in the December edition of PortNews, on pages 38-42. This article can be found here.
Images: North Sea Port
