Half a century ago, the first cars drove on the highway, which was then called E3. Suddenly you could drive in one straight line from the French border in Rekkem to Ghent and Antwerp.
Stripe through South West Flanders
“The highway literally drew a line through South-West Flanders and helped determine its future. Using historical video material, testimonials and imaginative visualisations, the expo offers a look at both the story of the E17 and that of the highways of tomorrow “, says Wout Maddens, chairman of Leiedal.
Griet Vanryckegem, chairman of Zuidwest: “In the first part of the expo you get a look at the past of the highway in our region with unique photos, video images, gripping stories and testimonials.”
Exit to the past
The construction of the highway progressed surprisingly quickly. In the early 1970s, there were no environmental and environmental standards as there are now. A technical feat too: here and there a valley had to be filled or a hill crest cut through, because the rules are fixed for how hard such a highway may slope and how far you should be able to see.
“Less popular aspects are also covered at the expo,” adds Vanryckegem, “because a lot of people were expropriated in a short period of time and there was still no question of citizen participation. A number of those stories have been collected by a traveling talking pole that Maud Vanhauwaert has incorporated in the art installation ‘Parlevinkende talking poles’.”
Until 8 October you can visit The Square in Kortrijk for a free visit to the expo.