Sustainable road to Paris cleared

Inland navigation is cheap, reliable, sustainable and booming. With these assets, transport by water offers a solution to the increasing traffic jam problem on our roads. After all, a 4,500 ton vessel takes up to 220 trucks off the road. In order to offer these container ships and barges a smooth passage, "De Vlaamse Waterweg" wants to improve the connection between the Seine and the Scheldt. This will guarantee economic growth and employment in the heart of Europe.  

But the Lys is currently a "missing link" on the Seine-Scheldt axis, because the river is too narrow and the bridges are too low. This is also true for the bridge linking Bissegem and Marke. That is why Tractebel was asked to design a new bridge that would prepare the Lys for the future.  

However, the projects that are part of the Seine Scheldt works are more than just investments in better infrastructure. They are integral design tasks that stimulate life on and along the waterway, seek sustainable solutions and create a pleasant environment. That is where Tractebel's added value comes in. Tractebel is responsible for the overall concept and the integral execution design, integrating the steel bridge, the new quay walls, the road infrastructure and the landscaping. 

The new bridge is a fixed road bridge of the arch type. The steel arch structure is built from two arches that slope towards each other and are connected by tie ropes. The bridge deck is suspended from the two arches by means of tethers. The span of the bridge will increase from 45 m in the existing situation to 83 m in the new one. The new bridge will be much safer for road traffic. Cyclists and pedestrians will have free-flowing bicycle and pedestrian paths, separating them from motorized traffic.  

The towpaths under the bridge will be connected to the road network, providing an easy connection to the cycle highway along the Lys. During the works, a temporary bicycle and pedestrian bridge will be installed to minimize inconvenience to local residents.  

The works for the construction of the bridge will start in the autumn of 2021 and will last approximately one and a half years.