INAUGURATION OF THE 1350T
CANAL DU CENTRE 
The work on enlarging the Canal du
Centre to comply with the European 1350-tonne standard is nearly
complete. The new section will enable 1350 t barges to travel
directly between the navigable waterways of the Maas/Meuse and
the Escaut/Schelde basins. It consists of three new
record-breaking civil engineering works - the lift-lock at
Strépy-Thieu, which raises barges 73 mètres in 7 minutes, the
aqueduct at Pont du Sart and the stop-lock at Le Blanc-Pain.
The inaugration
programme
Construction of these gigantic
works began just 20 years ago and their completion will be
celebrated in style. On Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August,
Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd September, the lift-lock at
Strépy-Thieu will provide the setting for a series of activities
and displays organised by the SOFICO and the MET - the Regional
Ministry of Equipment and Transports - and by the municipal
authorities of Le Roeulx and La Louvière, closely involving the
local residents.
Follow the
ceremonies on line
Even if you are
unable to attend the inauguration ceremonies in person, you can
still follow them on the Web. In particular, in collaboration
with Mr Vanroye, a series of photos will be put on line. They,
and a second series of photos, are available exclusively on his
site and on that of the 'Bulletin d'information du Canal du
Centre". To visit the site of the bulletin
d'information click here
Pour
retrouver la version originale de ce texte (en français), cliquez ici
Programme of the
ceremonies
| |
| Programme on
Friday 30 Aug. 2002 (official
inauguration) |
| 20 h 30 |
- the
site of the lift-locks will be accessible
to the public |
| 21 h 30 |
- show
"Au fil de l'Homme" by
Les Productions du Dragon, under the
artistic direction of Franco Dragone,
with stage settings by Luc Petit et
Danielle Roy |
| 22 h 30 |
- musical
animation on the site of the show, on the
Bel-RTL podium
- light refreshments and tasting at the
"Village de l'Office des produits
wallons" Bus services from La
Louvière railway station are available
during the evening
|
| Programme on
Saturday 31 Aug. 2002 |
| 9 h30 to 13 h |
Matinée
"Entreprises", reserved
for professional and institutional
participants - private manifestation. |
| First
day of events for the general public |
| 11 h |
Last
broadcast in the current series of "Beau
Vélo de Ravel" d'Adrien
Joveneau (RTBF) |
| from 13 h |
- the
site of the lift-locks will be accessible
to the public
- either via the place Hardat at Thieu
- or via the winding-hole in the
"zoning de Bracquegnies" - Possibility of
taking a boat trip either up or down the
Strépy-Thieu lift-lock - advance
reservation strongly advisable, at either
Voies d'Eau du Hainaut" (0032
064/67.12.00) or the Maison du Tourisme
du Parc des Canaux et Châteaux (0032
064/26.15.00), price 1,5 €/person -
accommodation under canvas will be
provided for participants (at place
Hardat and at the winding-hole) with
entertainment before and after the trips.
-
Animations all over the site : street
théâtre, people in traditional costume,
various muscial groups, stilt-walkers,
clowns, choirs, ...
- Visit
inside the lift-lock tower and
interactive audio-visual show "Pays
de Génies" price 4 €
-- light
refreshments and tasting at the
"Village de l'Office des produits
wallons"
|
| 16 h 30 |
Podium
presentation "Just say 'no' to
hate"
Animations on the podium, place Hardat,
with Jef Bodart, Marc Morgan, Adrien, Les
Escrocs, Christian Merveille,... |
| Programme on
Sunday 1 September 2002 |
| Second
day of events for the general public |
| Programme identical
with that of the "first day of
events for the general public",
apart from the "Beau Vélo de
Ravel". |
| Programme on
Monday 2 September 2002 (official
opening) |
| Opening of the
Canal du Centre to commercial navigation
by vessels of up to 1350 tonnes, and
passage of the first barges through the
lift-lock at Strépy-Thieu. |
| 13 h 30 |
All
spectators are very welcome ! |
|
|
| |
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Page on the lift-locks etc. of the Canal du Centre