On 16 January Minister Weyts announced that Flanders will reinstate the diplomatic consultation on the Iron Rhine. The reason is the positive evaluation of the so-called 3RX route by the feasibility study of three alternative routes.
The study designates the “Rhein-Ruhr-Rail Connection” (3RX) or the so-called “third way” as the best option to facilitate cross-border rail freight. This route, going via Venlo (The Netherlands) to Viersen (Germany), costs only half of the two alternatives, the historical route and the A52-route. The costs of the 3RX-route are estimated at € 770 million euros.
Minister for Mobility and Public Works Ben Weyts is hoping that this option might overcome the deadlock. “Until now everybody hung on its own analysis and its own routes. We’re not there yet, but this might break through the stalemate. Now we can discuss on base of objective data.”
The study was funded by Government of Flanders and the European Union and was conducted under the supervision of the five concerning regions: Flanders, Belgium, The Netherlands, North Rhine-Westphalia and Germany.
Access to the German Ruhr area is extremely important for the Flemish ports. According to forecasts, freight traffic will increase by 50% by 2030. Therefore Minister Weyts focuses on alternatives for road transport, such as inland shipping and railway.
General Representation of the Government of Flanders in the Netherlands
General Representation of the Government of Flanders in Germany
Departement Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken (Only available in Dutch)
