On Wednesday 8 May 2024, the new Hector Henneaulaan bridge over the Brussels Ring Road (R0) was officially opened in the presence of Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters. On behalf of De Werkvennootschap, BESIX and BESIX Infra replaced the severely outdated and unsafe bridge with a new one that is twice as wide and strongly focuses on the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and animals. The surrounding slip roads were also renewed. The work took three years and proceeded fully on schedule.
A safe and smooth crossing for all road users, including animals
BESIX and BESIX Infra’s renovation of the traffic intersection on Henneaulaan in Zaventem, Belgium, is part of the broader vision of De Werkvennootschap - i.e. the Flemish government organisation that supports complex mobility projects - to increase liveability in the area surrounding the Brussels ring road. The new bridge is twice as wide and pays attention to all modes of transport. For instance, it includes a generous cycle and pedestrian path completely shielded from motorised traffic and a separate lane for public transport. Smart traffic lights control the flow of cars.
On the other side of the cycle path is a green zone that also allows animals to cross the ring road more safely. The wall of stumps (a succession of tree trunks) provides animals with the necessary cover during their crossing. Once they reached the other side of the bridge, they can pass under the slip roads by using one of the many eco-tunnels.
Finally, the project also encourages better harmony between the ring road and the adjacent natural surroundings. Thanks to the bridge, the fragmented green areas are now connected and accessible to local residents and workers.
“I am proud that we have completed this new, safe bridge within the projected timeframe and would like to thank our customer De Werkvennootschap for their trust. Thanks to the alternative, optimised solution we presented to the customer at the tender stage, we were able to minimise traffic disruption. I would also like to thank our colleagues at BESIX Infra for the close cooperation, which went smoothly thanks to excellent coordination and communication.” – Christoph Klingeleers, project manager at BESIX.
Optimisation and one-stop shop
To minimise traffic disruption, the project was divided into different stages. During the tender stage, BESIX and BESIX Infra proposed an alternative, optimised solution to the customer, reducing the length and number of interruptions even more than in the original schedule. By the end of the works, traffic was only interrupted on three occasions for a limited period of time.
The many stages and the importance of a good traffic flow required excellent coordination between the civil works and the roadworks. The one-stop shop with BESIX and BESIX Infra, providing integrated solutions for both aspects, proved its worth in this area. Thanks to the joint efforts and close cooperation of both parties, the project was completed fully on schedule.
“The construction of new slip roads along the busy Brussels ring road in Zaventem was a challenge that required flawless coordination and cooperation. Our team demonstrated through concerted efforts and determination that this complex project could be completed successfully and on time, without interrupting traffic continuity. This success underlines our ability to deliver challenging and top-quality infrastructure projects.” – Tom Keysers, Lead Project Manager at BESIX Infra.
