Trek road

The Ringvaart is a canal 21.6 km long that describes a half-arc around the Belgian city of Ghent and connects all the waterways that flow through this city. The R4 motorway around Ghent runs for a large part along the banks of the Ringvaart.

History
The excavation of the Ringvaart began in 1950 and would continue for about 20 years, with the primary aim of keeping shipping out of Ghent's city center and reducing the risk of flooding in the city center. From east to west and in a clockwise direction, it connects the Scheldt (Zeeschelde), again the Scheldt (Bovenschelde), the Zwijnaarde canal, the Leie, the Ghent-Ostend canal, and the Ghent-Terneuzen canal.

Locks
There are 2 lock complexes on the Ringvaart, one at Wondelgem, the Westbekeslock complex, and one at Merelbeke.

Capacity
The Ringvaart is accessible everywhere for inland vessels up to 2000 tons and will be upgraded under the Seine-Scheldt Network by 2016 for vessels up to 4,500 tons.
More information at this link

BartL