Existing canals (listed below) were straightened and widened; and new locks were built, also on the river Scheldt, from the junction at Bouchain to the border.

Some authors have separated the waterway into the canal proper and the canalised river Scheldt, but current practice is to use the simple name throughout.

The entire route is being further upgraded to offer European Class Vb dimensions, for push-tows 185m by 11.50m, and motor barges up to 125m long, as part of the current EU-funded Seine-Scheldt-Rhine waterway corridor investments, including the new Seine-Nord Europe Canal.

The route is made up of nine historically distinct waterways, completed by three new lengths (diversion canals).

The Canal de la Deûle is also a high-capacity waterway, developed and named as a branch of the Liaison Dunkerque-Escaut from Bauvin to the river Lys, but current practice is to use the historic name (or just "Deûle") and to consider it as a separate waterway[citation needed].