Four links

The Antwerp region currently offers three links for freight transport between the left and right bank of the Scheldt: the Kennedy tunnel, the Liefkenshoek tunnel and the Scheldt bridge in Temse.

A fourth link north of Antwerp, the Oosterweel link, forms part of the Antwerp Masterplan.

In order to manage these traffic flows efficiently and strengthen financing options for the Masterplan, it is important to minimise mutual competition between these Scheldt river bank links. This is why the decree of 13 December 2002 lays down that the Flemish Government will bring all the Scheldt river bank links into BAM (Management Company Mobility Antwerp).

Subject to the central management of the river bank links, traffic flows can be pretty accurately shown. Together with the closing of the Kennedy tunnel to freight traffic once the extra river crossing is operational, this may guarantee reliable assessments of the use of the new infrastructure, with low demand elasticity.