The central bridge deck of the Suzan Daniel Bridge was placed over the Antwerp-Brussels-Charleroi Canal

This brings us one step closer to the opening of the bridge, an important link between the North Districts and Thurn & Taxis.

The maneuver was launched Wednesday night, and successfully completed at 5 a.m. this morning. The final support pillars under the bridge will be mounted in the coming days.

This bridge will allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the canal via a shorter, easier route. For public transport, the bridge forms a connection between Simon Bolivarlaan on the one hand and Havenlaan and Picardstraat on the other, forming a more obvious route between the North Station and the neighborhoods around Thurn & Taxis. The bridge is a technical masterpiece and promotes sustainable mobility.

A bridge made in Belgium

For the past 6 months, this 60-meter-long, 1,200-ton section of the bridge was assembled on the quay. Atelier Aelterman, near Ghent, made the steel arches which were brought to the site by barge while the main girders and the bridge deck were built in steel and concrete. The metal structure of the pedestrian section was manufactured in a workshop near Kortrijk and then mounted on the structure.

The bridge deck was placed over the canal using platform trucks and barges, under the expert direction of contractors De Nul, Aelterman and subcontractor Sarens, and in collaboration with the Port of Brussels and engineering firm Greisch.

After this operation, the approach bridges will be built, 30-meter-long spans over the quays on both sides of the canal connecting the central bridge deck to Havenlaan and Willebroekkaai. Then comes the finishing work: asphalting, railings, lighting, ... The end of the works is scheduled for the end of 2021.The works have cost €9.4 million, including studies. Canal traffic, which has been at a standstill since Thursday evening, will resume on Monday morning.

Figures:

• 2 zones: a 7-meter-wide asphalt road for public transportation and a 6-meter-wide bicycle and pedestrian zone .
• 1 central piece of 60 meters long and 1200 tons, 2 bridges of 30 meters each and a slope of 80 meters: a total of 200 meters
• 8 remote-controlled transport trucks and 2 barges for operation
• 4 days of nonstop work to put the bridge in place over the water
•  a gradient of up to 4% to facilitate access for disabled persons