Because of the many height differences of the canal Charleroi-Brussels they opened this tunnel in 1885 for the ships. The Tunnel de Godarville was aimed to replace the 70 ton Tunnel de la Bête Refaite.

The tunnel was constructed by l'entreprise Dauderni between 1882 and 1885. The tunnel was 1050 m long, 8 m wide, and 9 m high. On the side there is a small towing path where the horses used to walk that towed the vessels.