BESIX, BESIX Infra and BESIX Unitec lifted the steel bridge deck of the new Bospoort Bridge in Halle into place on Friday 29 May, on behalf of De Vlaamse Waterweg. With this important milestone, construction of the new movable bridge is once again a major step closer to completion. The bridge deck has a span of 34 metres, is 9 metres wide and weighs 145 tonnes.
Phased installation Bospoort bridge
The installation took place in several stages. On Thursday 28 May, the bridge deck was placed on a pontoon in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw. It was then taken to Halle on Thursday evening, where it was lifted across the canal to Charleroi by cranes on Friday 29 May. The bridge deck was temporarily positioned 1.6 metres higher than the bridge’s later closed position, so that shipping traffic can pass during the bridge’s completion works.
“The installation of the Bospoort Bridge is the result of a technically challenging and meticulously prepared process. The bridge deck was assembled in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, transported by water to Halle and then lifted into its final position using a dual crane operation. At the same time, the construction of the bridge pits and quay walls proved to be a complex puzzle, carried out in a highly constrained environment and using techniques such as a cofferdam and underwater concrete”, says Günther Muyshondt, Operations Manager of BESIX Belgium-Luxembourg.
“BESIX was responsible for the civil works, while BESIX Infra handled the roadworks and drainage, and BESIX Unitec delivered the bridge’s technical systems. Together, we demonstrate how integrated expertise and strong collaboration enable us to take on the most complex projects and deliver sustainable infrastructure that creates lasting value for the community”, continues Günther.
Redevelopment of the canal area in Halle
The new Bospoort Bridge is an important link in the redevelopment of the canal area in Halle. De Vlaamse Waterweg is investing EUR 17.5 million in a modern movable table bridge that better meets the needs of the city and waterway traffic. The bridge will have a usable width of 7 metres for road users, creating more space for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Thanks to the higher clearance, larger inland vessels will also be able to continue using the canal more easily, contributing to more sustainable freight transport and better connectivity in the city.
“By installing the bridge deck, we are reaching an important milestone in the renewal of the Bospoort Bridge. This new bridge will not only provide a smoother and safer connection for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, but will also improve traffic flow on the canal to Charleroi. In this way, we are investing in Halle both in sustainable mobility and in strong inland waterway infrastructure”, says Filip Boelaert, Managing Director of De Vlaamse Waterweg.
Planning of works
Work on the Bospoort bridge and the banks began in August 2024 and, according to the current schedule, will continue until autumn 2026. Now that the bridge deck has been installed, the bridge’s technical systems will be completed. Work on the renewed banks, the lowered towpath and the access ramp towards the station square will also continue. With this new bridge, BESIX, BESIX Infra, BESIX Unitec and De Vlaamse Waterweg are continuing to build safe, sustainable and future-oriented infrastructure in Halle.
“With the new Bospoort bridge, we are replacing an old and worn-out bridge with a modern, sustainable connection. In this way, we are reconnecting the two halves of the city in a dignified manner. At the same time, we are preparing the canal for the future and ensuring that more and larger vessels will be able to pass through in the long term”, says Eva Demesmaeker, Mayor of Halle.