The 'Duwvaartkanaal' project was a solution
The push barge canal was a solution for the bottleneck on the Albert Canal between Wijnegem and the port of Antwerp. The canal would run from Oelegem to Zandvliet.
Since expansions on the Albert Canal were difficult to implement due to the surrounding industry, it was decided to divert freight traffic via a new canal.
Construction of the push barge canal started in the 1970s, but construction was interrupted under pressure from environmental activists. Witness to this is this large water surface that would connect with the Albert Canal.
For years, the file remained undecided until December 2002, when the Minister of Spatial Planning Dirk Van Mechelen decided to permanently scrap the plan. A public inquiry followed from April 28 to June 26, 2003, after which the fate of the channel was finally settled. The push barge canal was removed from the regional plan.
Now this location is used for fast and adventurous water recreation.