Phase 2 Current phase
Exploration phase 2024 - 2027
Start of exploration phase
If the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Belgian FPS Mobility and Transport have reached an agreement on the project, the exploration phase will start in the Netherlands. The ministry can then approve ProRail's plan. We will then publish the kick-off and the participation plan.
The Flemish government, together with Infrabel, will make a plan for the exploration. After the plan is approved, the exploration phase starts in Flanders. We will then publish the start note and process note.
Information meetings
During the information meetings/consultations, we will explain how the exploration phase will proceed and how we will involve the community.
Defining possible solutions
If the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Belgian Federal Public Service of Mobility and Transport have reached an agreement on the project, the exploration phase in the Netherlands can begin. The ministry can then approve ProRail's plan. We will then publish the start decision and the participation plan. We will then publish the kick-off and the participation plan.
In Flanders, we will describe the same possible solutions in the scoping note.
Information meetings
We will present the possible solutions, based on the research we carried out over the past six months.
Selecting promising solutions
We will process the input from the information meetings/consultations. We will subsuquently choose the most promising solutions. The same promising solutions will be selected in Flanders and the Netherlands.
Information meetings
During the information meetings, we will explain which solutions are most promising and why. We will also outline the procedure going forward.
Environmental impact study
We will examine the environmental impacts of the preferred solutions. We will record the results in the EIR plan. There will be one EIR plan for both Flanders and the Netherlands.
Choosing the best solution
We will choose the best solution after a comprehensive assessment. We will for instance consider environmental impacts and feasibility. This information will be included in the Draft Preferred Decision.
The same information will be included in Flanders in the preliminary draft SIP, including draft EIR plan.
Information meetings
We will explain what the best solution is, explain the plan EIA, and explain how the procedures will proceed.
Stakeholder advice
The plan is open for inspection in the Netherlands and a Public Inquiry will take place in Flanders. Stakeholders can give their opinions on the plan before it is finalised. The opinions received will then be processed and, where necessary, the plan can be adapted accordingly.
End of exploration phase
The exploration phase ends when the minister adopts the Preferential Decision.
The exploration phase ends when the Flemish government definitively adopts the Spatial Implementation Plan (SIP).
Phase 3
Plan development and realisation, vanaf 2028
Start of plan development and realisation
We will further develop the best solution. In this phase, we will draw up detailed plans, purchase the land needed, submit environmental permit applications (Belgium), and proceed with planning procedures in the Netherlands. We will then look for contractors for the project. After this realisation starts.
Phase 1
Pre-exploration 2017 - 2024
Preliminary studies
In 2017 it became clear that freight rail bottlenecks would arise in the future if no action is taken. Eleven different preliminary studies were eventually conducted on the bottlenecks in the current rail network.
Letter of Intent
Several Dutch and Belgian governments signed a letter of intent for further exploration and plan development.
Start of project organisation
To further explore possible rail developments, North Sea Port, Infrabel, and ProRail teamed up as Rail Ghent Terneuzen project organisation.
European grant
The EU provided a € 3.4m CEF grant to highlight the importance of sustainable, cross-border rail development.
