Brussels, 22/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - In the Port of Antwerp, Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Hilde Crevits, European Investment Bank (EIB) President Philippe Maystadt and Chairman of the Antwerp Port Authority's Board of Directors and Alderman for the Port Marc Van Peel gave the official starting signal on 21 November for the construction of the second lock on the left Bank of the Escaut river. Over the coming years, the new construction project will be one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Flanders, with 255 people working daily on building the biggest lock in the world. The lock is due to open in 2016 and will cost around €340 million of which 50% will be financed by the EIB. Hilde Crevits believes the construction of the new lock is necessary to improve maritime access to the economic hub of the Port of Antwerp. For EIB President Philippe Maystadt, the new lock will help to further develop efficient, multimodal and sustainable goods transport, which will benefit not only the Port of Antwerp and Flanders but also Europe. (OL/transl.jl)