Located on the Meuse River downstream from Huy, the Ampsin-Neuville lock complex, commissioned in 1958, had become the final bottleneck for Wallonia inland waterways as well as toward the Netherlands.
As part of its mission to complete missing links in the regional waterway network, SOFICO initiated a large-scale upgrade of the Ampsin-Neuville site in 2018. The project included the construction of a medium-gauge lock, completed in 2022, and a new large-gauge lock measuring 225 by 25 meters. With a capacity of 9,000 tonnes, where the original structure’s capacity was limited to 2,000 tonnes, the new lock significantly increases capacity.
This major infrastructure project significantly strengthens the long-term appeal of Wallonia’s inland waterways. It also integrates significant improvements:
✔️ the creation of the largest fish pass in Europe,
✔️ the ecological redevelopment of the left river bank,
✔️ the development of pedestrian and bicycle paths.
SECO was responsible for the technical inspection of the civil engineering works, with a focus on structural stability and long-term performance. The river traffic needed to remain uninterrupted throughout the entire project.
SECO addressed these challenges by drawing on its proven expertise in hydraulic structures and its independence, enabling effective coordination among project stakeholders.
SOFICO acted as the project owner for the works, with financial support from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. SPW Mobility and Infrastructure provided technical assistance to SOFICO. Engineering firm Greisch, in temporary association with Tractebel Engineering, and the temporary joint venture Duchêne-Franki, comprising the companies Duchêne and BESIX Unitec, were responsible for executing this ambitious engineering project, with SECO serving as the inspection body.
