Accessibility
The central location of the Westerschelde Tunnel ensures a fast connection to the road network in Zeeland, Flanders and the west of Brabant.
The tunnel route is an axis of economic development that connects towns and cities such as Rotterdam, Vlissingen, Terneuzen, Ghent and Lille more directly with each other. The Westerschelde Tunnel offers new perspectives for businesses, creates new markets, gives people more flexibility, shortens distances and generates more turnover.
In short, it makes more things possible.
Do you want to know if the Westerschelde Tunnel is the smartest route for you? Just click your way to the route planner.
New developments
A number of developments are taking place in the surrounding area which will have a positive effect on the accessibility of the Westerschelde Tunnel.
Sluiskil Canal Crossing
The intention is that a (new) high-grade connection which crosses the canal at Sluiskil should be constructed. At present accessibility is limited for motorised traffic (trucks, cars and motorcycles), because the present (bridge) connection is closed to traffic for an average of five hours each day.
Plans have been drawn up for a new tunnel at this location. At this time a study is being made into how this project can be financed. For more information on this please visit www.kanaalkruisingsluiskil.nl.
Doubling the approach roads
The Sloeweg on Zuid-Beveland and the Tractaatweg in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen are the most important approach and exit roads for the Westerschelde Tunnel and the industrial zones Sloegebied and Kanaalzone. They form part of the Midden Zeeland Route. Both roads are two-lane single carriageway roads with intersections at grade. It is expected that by 2010 these roads will no longer be able to cope with the flow of traffic if they remain as they are.
In order to organise the Sloeweg and the Tractaatweg in such as way as to safeguard traffic flow and safety on each road, a start was made in 2003 on the necessary studies. In practice each of these roads will need to be doubled in size, i.e. having two traffic lanes in each direction.
As soon as work begins on these roads, the access roads which are managed by N.V. Westerscheldetunnel will also be widened to double their capacity.
