Seven Limburg municipalities with a ‘coal mine history’ join forces to build an innovative 70-km bicycle highway between Beringen (West) and Maasmechelen (East), via Heusden-Zolder, Houthalen-Helchteren, Zonhoven, Genk, and As. The total investment amounts to 13 million euros.

The first section of the so-called ‘Kolenspoor’ (coal trail) to be realized will be the route between Genk and As – indicated with ‘F75’. The coal track largely follows the route of the former railway connection between the former mining sites.

No conflict points

More than 35 years after the closure of the mines, the seven municipalities are finally getting the coal rail project going. Today, about half of the existing 70 km route is accessible by bicycle, but it is not yet a bicycle highway. A bicycle highway should ideally be four meters wide and have no conflict points with other traffic.

The first step toward a full-fledged bicycle highway is the As-Genk connection. Until now, this part was the ‘missing link’.

‘Green network’

According to Mobility Representative, Bert Lambrechts (N-VA), the Kolenspoor will not only be a fast bicycle connection. “It will also be a green network, and a study is underway to connect all nature reserves along the route.”

Genk Mayor Wim Dries (CD&V) is happy with the start of the project. Apart from the east-west cycling connection, he also sees opportunities to better connect the neighborhoods from the north to the south. “This way, we can solve the dangerous intersection at H.Esserslaan and Hengelhoefstraat with a tunnel, and we will have direct access to Hengelhoef.”

Ecological measures

The Limburg nature associations had initially filed an objection to the bicycle highway. Still, according to Deputy Lambrechts, enough measures have been taken – eco tunnels and special lighting, among others – to protect vulnerable nature. The ecological measures cost 2,4 million euros.

The specifications for the section As-Genk will be presented to the provincial council on Thursday. The tender can then be started. If all goes well, work will start in spring. Later, the section between Beringen and Houthalen-Helchteren and the route from As to Maasmechelen can be finished.

Finally, the last part to be tackled will be the Kolenspoor through the De Teut nature reserve, which already has a cycle path but not yet a bicycle highway.