Brussels-Scheldt Sea Canal

Vilvoorde originated on the Senne and developed, especially thanks to its location along a well-navigable waterway, into an economically, politically and strategically important city.
When in the middle of the 16th century, parallel to the Senne, a connection was dug between Brussels and the Rupel, this was an additional asset.
By the end of the 19th century, however, transport and industry had developed so enormously and the economic activities along the canal had such an expansion that the modest 3.2-metre-deep connecting channel was no longer sufficient. Major adaptation works were necessary to keep up with this evolution.
For this purpose, the N.V. Zeekanaal was founded more than a hundred years ago. The N.V. Zeekanaal would build a sea canal with a water depth of 6.5 meters, 3 locks and a port for inland and maritime traffic. In 1922 the new canal was inaugurated. Along this canal, all kinds of companies rose like mushrooms from the ground. The Zeekanaal is also known as Willebroekse Vaart.
However, new needs constantly required adaptation works. For example, new bridges were built with wider channels and free heights.
Due to the increasing traffic, the old swing bridge of 1943 no longer met the needs in Vilvoorde. It was replaced in 1972 by the current drawbridge, the Europa Bridge.
The sea channel not only has a particularly important transport function. It is also a link that should not be underestimated in the water management of the areas between Charleroi, Brussels and Antwerp. In the event of flooding, the canal performs a regularising task.
And then, of course, there is a recreational function. In recent years, real pleasure boating on the canal has been very successful again. The former towpaths and dikes are eagerly used by walkers and cyclists.

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