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Infrabel invests progressively in the port of Zeebrugge

Posted: 20 February 2013 | | No comments yet

Infrabel continuously works on increasing rail capacity to, from and in the port of Zeebrugge. At the end of 2012, the Belgian rail infrastructure manager made available a new rail infrastructure to its customers.

Sea-rail strategy between natural allies

In accordance with its strategy, Infrabel is working on a step-by-step capacity expansion in specific areas of the network where it is needed. This includes the port of Zeebrugge, which is the second largest port in Belgium after the port of Antwerp. During the first stage (2007-2010), Infrabel expanded and modernised the rail infrastructure at a number of strategic rail yards in the port of Zeebrugge. However, in order to optimise the manage – ment of the expected rise in goods transport, additional investment in and around the port of Zeebrugge is required. Infrabel is therefore creating new rail connections in the port itself and is also optimising access to and from Zeebrugge to benefit its customers. Water (port) and rail are natural allies and are closely connected to each other.

The Ter Doest Curve: A strategic link between east and west

Since 5 November 2012, the Ter Doest Curve (at a cost of €9 million) has provided a direct 1.7km link between the rail systems of the eastern and western areas of the port. This new single-track link provides more capacity and flexibility for the strategic rail link between Bruges and Zeebrugge. If growth were to continue, there is already a track bed for the construction of a second track.

The Ter Doest Curve also prevents unnecessary train movements: Trains no longer have to go to Bruges and back in order to reach the other area of the port. This also frees up more capacity for passenger travel on the line between Bruges and the Belgian coast.

The Ter Doest Curve mainly runs through a natural landscape, which is why Infrabel ensured the revitalisation of the natural landscape around Monnikenwerve. As part of its sustaina – bility policy, Infrabel restored the piece of land to its original state in order to allow the local natural habitat to redevelop.

New rail link between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle yards Infrabel also built a new rail link between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle rail yards (costing €3 million). Since 9 December 2012, quicker marshalling of the trucks has made it easier to put together goods trains without having to use the passenger track on the Dudzele and Knokke branch line. In a previous stage, Infrabel already modern – ised and expanded the Ramskapelle yard1 (2007) and the Pelikaan yard1 (2009) by providing more and longer tracks. This also made goods transport to and from the outport more fluent.

Other rail infrastructure in operation Since 2 December 2012, trains going from the Belgian coast to Bruges can also use the renovated Waggelwater Bridge (which cost €10 million). This new rail bridge crosses the canal between Bruges and Ostend and replaces the old railroad bridge. The new bridge currently has two one-track guideway beams, pending the construction of a third track between Bruges and the Dudzele yard.

At the end of 2011, Infrabel, G&V Energy Group and the port of Zeebrugge opened the first public filling station for diesel trains (at a cost of €1.5 million) near the Ramskapelle yard. As part of its customer-oriented service, Infrabel also created certain rail links (approxi – mately €0.5 million) for various companies, including the Wielingen yard (2010) in the outport. The Voorhaven-West yard (€5 million) had already been expanded and renovated in 2007.

Infrabel continuously works on increasing rail capacity to, from and in the port of Zeebrugge. At the end of 2012, the Belgian rail infrastructure manager made available a new rail infrastructure to its customers. Sea-rail strategy between natural allies In accordance with its strategy, Infrabel is working on a step-by-step capacity expansion in specific areas of the network where it is needed. This includes the port of Zeebrugge, which is the second largest port in Belgium after the port of Antwerp. During the first stage (2007-2010), Infrabel expanded and modernised the rail infrastructure at a number of strategic rail yards in the port of Zeebrugge. However, in order to optimise the manage - ment of the expected rise in goods transport, additional investment in and around the port of Zeebrugge is required. Infrabel is therefore creating new rail connections in the port itself and is also optimising access to and from Zeebrugge to benefit its customers. Water (port) and rail are natural allies and are closely connected to each other. The Ter Doest Curve: A strategic link between east and west Since 5 November 2012, the Ter Doest Curve (at a cost of €9 million) has provided a direct 1.7km link between the rail systems of the eastern and western areas of the port. This new single-track link provides more capacity and flexibility for the strategic rail link between Bruges and Zeebrugge. If growth were to continue, there is already a track bed for the construction of a second track. The Ter Doest Curve also prevents unnecessary train movements: Trains no longer have to go to Bruges and back in order to reach the other area of the port. This also frees up more capacity for passenger travel on the line between Bruges and the Belgian coast. The Ter Doest Curve mainly runs through a natural landscape, which is why Infrabel ensured the revitalisation of the natural landscape around Monnikenwerve. As part of its sustaina - bility policy, Infrabel restored the piece of land to its original state in order to allow the local natural habitat to redevelop. New rail link between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle yards Infrabel also built a new rail link between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle rail yards (costing €3 million). Since 9 December 2012, quicker marshalling of the trucks has made it easier to put together goods trains without having to use the passenger track on the Dudzele and Knokke branch line. In a previous stage, Infrabel already modern - ised and expanded the Ramskapelle yard1 (2007) and the Pelikaan yard1 (2009) by providing more and longer tracks. This also made goods transport to and from the outport more fluent. Other rail infrastructure in operation Since 2 December 2012, trains going from the Belgian coast to Bruges can also use the renovated Waggelwater Bridge (which cost €10 million). This new rail bridge crosses the canal between Bruges and Ostend and replaces the old railroad bridge. The new bridge currently has two one-track guideway beams, pending the construction of a third track between Bruges and the Dudzele yard. At the end of 2011, Infrabel, G&V Energy Group and the port of Zeebrugge opened the first public filling station for diesel trains (at a cost of €1.5 million) near the Ramskapelle yard. As part of its customer-oriented service, Infrabel also created certain rail links (approxi - mately €0.5 million) for various companies, including the Wielingen yard (2010) in the outport. The Voorhaven-West yard (€5 million) had already been expanded and renovated in 2007.

Sea-rail strategy between natural allies

In accordance with its strategy, Infrabel is working on a step-by-step capacity expansion in specific areas of the network where it is needed. This includes the port of Zeebrugge, which is the second largest port in Belgium after the port of Antwerp. During the first stage (2007-2010), Infrabel expanded and modernised the rail infrastructure at a number of strategic rail yards in the port of Zeebrugge. However, in order to optimise the manage – ment of the expected rise in goods transport, additional investment in and around the port of Zeebrugge is required. Infrabel is therefore creating new rail connections in the port itself and is also optimising access to and from Zeebrugge to benefit its customers. Water (port) and rail are natural allies and are closely connected to each other.

The Ter Doest Curve: A strategic link between east and west

Since 5 November 2012, the Ter Doest Curve (at a cost of €9 million) has provided a direct 1.7km link between the rail systems of the eastern and western areas of the port. This new single-track link provides more capacity and flexibility for the strategic rail link between Bruges and Zeebrugge. If growth were to continue, there is already a track bed for the construction of a second track.

The Ter Doest Curve also prevents unnece – ssary train movements: Trains no longer have to go to Bruges and back in order to reach the other area of the port. This also frees up more capacity for passenger travel on the line between Bruges and the Belgian coast.

The Ter Doest Curve mainly runs through a natural landscape, which is why Infrabel ensured the revitalisation of the natural landscape around Monnikenwerve. As part of its sustaina – bility policy, Infrabel restored the piece of land to its original state in order to allow the local natural habitat to redevelop.

New rail link between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle yards

Infrabel also built a new rail link between the Pelikaan and Ramskapelle rail yards (costing €3 million). Since 9 December 2012, quicker marshalling of the trucks has made it easier to put together goods trains without having to use the passenger track on the Dudzele and Knokke branch line.

In a previous stage, Infrabel already modern – ised and expanded the Ramskapelle yard1 (2007) and the Pelikaan yard1 (2009) by providing more and longer tracks. This also made goods transport to and from the outport more fluent.

Other rail infrastructure in operation

Since 2 December 2012, trains going from the Belgian coast to Bruges can also use the reno vated Waggelwater Bridge (which cost €10 million). This new rail bridge crosses the canal between Bruges and Ostend and replaces the old railroad bridge. The new bridge currently has two one-track guideway beams, pending the construction of a third track between Bruges and the Dudzele yard.

At the end of 2011, Infrabel, G&V Energy Group and the port of Zeebrugge opened the first public filling station for diesel trains (at a cost of €1.5 million) near the Ramskapelle yard.

As part of its customer-oriented service, Infrabel also created certain rail links (approxi – mately €0.5 million) for various companies, including the Wielingen yard (2010) in the outport. The Voorhaven-West yard (€5 million) had already been expanded and renovated in 2007.

Other rail projects underway

In early November 2012, Infrabel started the construction of a new bridge to replace the Wulfsberge level crossing in Zwanken – damme. The new bridge (costing approximately €7 million) joins the existing railroads to and from Zwankendamme and will be ready in the summer of 2014. This project is perfectly in line with the construction work for the new arrival and departure yard of Zeebrugge-Vorming.

The step-by-step replacement of level crossings is part of Infrabel’s policy towards a permanent higher safety level for the Belgian rail network. A bridge eliminates the risk of any disturbance at this level crossing and therefore also helps improve the punctuality of rail traffic.

In May 2011, Infrabel started the con – struction of the new ‘Blauwe Toren’ flyover south of the port (approximately €30 million). This onetrack flyover will allow the tracks to cross on different levels. This will considerably increase the frequency and capacity of the various railway lines in the long-term.

Future rail projects in and around the port of Zeebrugge

Infrabel will also build a new arrival and departure yard with 24 electrified tracks near Zwankendamme2 (by 2016). In a second phase, the current Zeebrugge yard2 will be expanded and redeveloped into a large, 30-track marshalling yard (by 2018).

As a result of this new rail configuration, the Zwankendamme stop will eventually disappear. This will be compensated by a major renovation of the existing stop at Lissewege. Special attention will be paid to improving bicycle access to the Lissewege stop. Depending on the further developments and the evolution of rail traffic, the Stationsstraat level crossing near the Lissewege stop will cease to exist.

Access to and from Zeebrugge will also gradually improve thanks to the construction of a third track between Dudzele and Bruges in the future (approximately €130 million), the current expansion from two to four tracks between Bruges and Ghent (approximately €470 million) and other projects.

Step-by-step investment in intermodal and sustainable rail transport

All these investment projects allow Infrabel to gradually increase rail capacity in and around the port of Zeebrugge. Infrabel does this to proactively anticipate the future growth of rail transport in the port of Zeebrugge and to guarantee that this major centre of economic activity can open up to the hinterland in a sustainable way.

At the end of 2012, Infrabel made available three new rail infrastructure facilities in Zeebrugge to its direct customers (rail operators) and its indirect customers (the port and industrial companies). These rail investments contribute to the further improvement of intermodal, sustainable rail transport and also contribute to better passenger traffic.

Biography

Ann Billiau has been Infrabel’s Director-General for Rail Access since 2011. Ann’s previous Infrabel positions have included Account Director for the Rail Access Directorate (2005-2007) and Head of the Department for Customer and Products in the Rail Access Directorate (2007-2011). Ann has also held professional positions at SNCB including Project Leader for ICT Projects and Account Director of the ICT Department. Ann is a Master of Mathematics and a Master of Advanced Studies in Geophysics and, since October 2011, has been a Member of the Board of Directors at TUC Rail.

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