Learn more about the Seine-Nord Europe Canal

What is the Seine-Nord Europe Canal? What are its objectives and its ambition at the heart of the Region, France and Europe? 

The Canal at home

Do you want to find out about the project closest to you? Find the information that concerns you on the site of your territory.

Road and rail crossings

The inhabitants and their daily journeys will not be forgotten! The proper integration of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal into the territories requires taking local mobility into account. With 62 road and rail restorations (bridges and passages under the Canal), and 3 canal bridges, the crossings from one bank to the other of the Canal will be regularly implemented throughout the 107 km route. In addition, the path along the Canal for the purposes of its operation (called the towpath) will be open to pedestrians, bicycles and other soft modes and will be connected to the network of cycle routes already developed in the territories.

In the same way, in addition to the development of the gently sloping banks to allow animals to drink without danger, a crossing of the Canal, called large wildlife passage, will be dedicated to them at Hermies in Pas-de-Calais.

The techniques used will be different depending on the bridges, which may be beams or arches, depending on the distance to be crossed. The average span of the structures is around 80 meters and can exceed 100 meters for certain structures which will then be of the bow-string type (arch). The crossing of the Canal by rail, on the Compiègne – Saint-Quentin and Amiens – Laon routes will also be via a long-span bridge.

To limit disturbances for the inhabitants as much as possible, certain crossings will be made before the digging of the canal and traffic on the existing structures will be maintained until the commissioning of the new bridge. In some cases, a temporary local diversion will be necessary. Overall, a broad consultation was carried out around the traffic lanes, which goes beyond the existing scheme. For example, local authorities want to build service roads around future inland ports. They thus anticipate the establishment of new economic activities et the development of tourism.

1,7 km

The Canal Seine-Nord Europe will be crossed on average every 1,7 km.

road bridges

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