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The project's overall aim was to improve road traffic conditions to and from the port of Dunkerque, in northern France. |
Description of the project
The Grand Port Maritime de Dunkirk is the largest French port in the North Sea and the third biggest port in France in terms of cargo turnover.
The port experiences long queues during rush hour between the short sea terminal, dubbed "Terminal Roulier", and the E40 highway. Truck traffic generated by the Roll On-Roll Off ferry between Dunkirk and Dover merges into a road already experiencing intense urban traffic due to two roundabouts and a railway crossing.
The objectives of the project supported by the TEN-T Programme are:
- optimise port accessibility
- increase safety
- reduce emissions
- develop sustainable and efficient traffic management by separating local traffic from truck traffic
These objectives will be achieved via the construction of a new road junction, a bridge over the railway line and the installation of a new and improved traffic sign system.
Benefits of the Project
Since completion of the project, traffic levels in and around the short sea terminal of the Port of Dunkirk have significantly improved, leading to improved transit times to and from the port.
With the previous road configuration, long queues of trucks would form during peak hours at the port's exit. These queues could often be 2 km long and it would take a vehicle an average of 45 minutes to cover the distance between ferry terminal to the E40 motorway (7 km).
Upon completion of the works, traffic to and from the ferry terminal has significantly improved, with queues all but disappearing and a new average driving time from terminal to E40 of only 10 minutes during peak hours.
The improved accessibility of the port will help it to be able to accommodate further traffic volume increases in the future, thus allowing this key infrastructure node to be even more important for France's and Europe's transport network. Furthermore, the population living close to the port and around Dunkirk will also benefit from reduced levels of traffic, noise and emissions of pollutants from vehicles. |
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Info and links
Member States involved:
France
Implementation schedule:
Start date: December 2009
End date: December 2011
Beneficiary & Implementing body:
 Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque
Additional information:
 European Commission, DG MOVE
Visit the info page about this project |
