Location:
Gentbrugge, Gent, Belgium
Bridge Type:
Composite Cycling Bridge
Project Scope:
Delivery and Installation
Completion:
2024
Client:
De Vlaamse Waterweg
BestBridges, commissioned by Vlaamse Waterweg, installed a new bridge over the sluice basin in Gentbrugge. Cyclists and pedestrians can now cross the water on a 4.5-meter-wide bridge. Until now, there was a narrow crossing of 1.2 meters over the sluice gates, locally known as the ‘saskes’. During rush hours, up to 700 people pass through, with a total of 3,000 users per day.
The bridge is a composite bridge, 17 meters long, and was transported from the Netherlands to Gent using a special transport. The installation took place overnight to minimize disruption. This bridge is part of the larger Sigma Plan. Through this plan, Vlaamse Waterweg aims to protect the entire Scheldt valley against flooding, partly by creating additional floodplains. There are also measures to better protect nature and make cycling and walking along the Schelde smoother.
The previous crossing towards the Arbed and Keizerpark was far from ideal: a narrow passage over the sluice gate grates, requiring cyclists to dismount, with hardly any space. Not only was it inconvenient, but also quite dangerous. Thanks to the new bridge from BestBridges, there is now a smooth and pleasant connection: perfect for cyclists, but also for runners.
A prefabricated bridge with pre-installed composite railings meant that the bridge could be easily transported and installed on site with minimum disruption to traffic and residents. In just the blink of an eye, the new bridge was installed offering greater mobility and safety to cyclists and pedestrians.
It is estimated that 3,000 people previously had to maneuver past each other every day. During peak hours, it also caused delays. With effective collaboration, precise engineering and execution, this issue is resolved contributing to the vision of sustainable public infrastructure for the city of Gent.
This project is testament to the strength of composite structures for low-maintenance and easy to install bridges.
Various types of wooden balustrades are available, made of tropical hardwood such as Azobé or Bilinga. These balustrades offer great architectural freedom, allowing them to be perfectly adapted to the bridge’s design. The balustrades are easily dismountable, ensuring easy long-term maintenance without affecting the integrity of the bridge.
