Week of 15 January
1. Théâtre des Martyrs is open for public (Belgium)
On 9 January, the renovated Théâtre des Martyrs in the heart of Brussels was inaugurated in the presence of city officials. Jacques Delens did a fantastic job transforming it into a modernised and embellished venue.
The work was carried out to an extremely tight deadline, perfectly respected despite the technical constraints of this emblematic building.
Following on from a first phase of refurbishment focused on the dressing rooms in 2021, this second phase of work has seen the completion of many technical improvements which will change the work environment for the teams as well as the conditions in which spectators are welcomed.
The offices were completely refurbished, new electrical fittings were installed, as well as a new ventilation and soundproofing system, and all areas were brought up to standard. The biggest change is the small auditorium, which has been renovated to be more suitable for presenting shows. It was equipped with new bleachers and PRM access via a lift.
Congratulations to our colleagues at Jacques Delens!
2. Safety First at DUT (United Arab Emirates)
The Dubai Uptown Tower project team, and more specifically the BESIX Middle East HSE Department, has recently been acknowledged for its commitment to safety on this project by the consultant WSP, representing our client DMCC. With this award, WSP recognises the team’s contribution to the Zero Harm Vision and their health and safety performance. Kudos to the outstanding DUT team for this beautiful recognition!
At the end of last year, the project team already celebrated 26 million man-hours without any major lost-time injuries (LTI).
3. Opening Abobo Tunnel (Ivory Coast)
On 10 January the tunnel under the Abobo roundabout in Abidjan was officially inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister Robert Beugré MAMBE and several other officials.
Upon the initiative of PFO Africa, the designer and builder of the overall project, BESIX Ivory Coast’s contract covered the civil works for the burying of the A1 national road under the roundabout. This included the construction of the tunnel, as well as access ramps, which accommodate the A1 national road with three lanes in each direction, significantly improving accessibility to the Northern Abidjan metropolitan area.
4. First bridge half in Ghent port area now operational (Belgium)
Last week the northern half of the new Meulestedebrug over the Ghent-Terneuzen canal in the Ghent harbour area was opened. This could be done without interrupting road traffic as traffic must temporarily travel in both directions over the new bridge half.
BESIX Unitec is taking care of the electromechanical aspects of this project on behalf of ‘De Vlaamse Waterweg’, which manages waterways in the Flemish Region. Among other things, our colleagues are taking care of the electrical distribution and signaling works (signals, barriers, and lighting of the bridge). They also worked on the programming, control, and visualisation of the bridge. Via subcontractors, they are supplying the hydraulics and proceeding to the installation of the bridge cylinders, as well as the mechanically moving parts of the bridge.
The new Meulestede bridge is a twin bridge. That is, the bridge will consist of two movable bridges built right next to each other. One bridge will have two lanes, the other three. During future maintenance and repair works, traffic in both directions can be directed over one bridge. The old bridge has been permanently put out of service and is now being demolished on site and the material will be recycled. The construction of the southern bridge half will start after the demolition works.
And then this: BESIX Foundation provides some warmth to the homeless (Belgium)
Each year, BESIX Foundation sends volunteers to help the Brussels-based non-profit organisation ‘Opération Thermos Operatie’ distribute hot meals in the winter to the homeless. In 2023, no less than 2,400 meals were prepared and distributed by 228 volunteers. On 6 January, a Brussels TV crew came by when a BESIX team was volunteering. No doubt you will recognise some familiar faces in this video! Thank you to all volunteers for their dedication! Your help is invaluable!
