Infrastructure

Access to Aalten changed dramatically over the course of several centuries. Old trade routes and sandy tracks gradually gave way to paved roads in the nineteenth century. The railway, tramways and increasingly better road connections followed.

For centuries, an important route between Bocholt and the towns along the IJssel ran through Aalten. As early as 1854, Aalten was described as a ‘meeting point of roads’. The opening of the railway station in 1885 and the Lichtenvoorde–Bocholt tramway in 1910 strengthened connections with the surrounding region and with Germany. When the Hamelandroute opened in 1966, through traffic gained a new north–south route.

Bridges, street improvements, public utilities and plans that were never realised — including railway lines, a canal and a gliding airfield — also show how Aalten repeatedly sought to improve its location and accessibility.