27.01.2016
On January 23rd, the 75 meter long new Hogebrug at Harelbeke was manoeuvred in to position. For this transport, the bridge was placed on a pontoon and a million litres of water was pumped from the ballast tanks. Roads along the Leie were closed and cleared and also the quay walls were inaccessible during that time. The bridge was then slowly manoeuvred to her new position. After an impressive move, the transport of the bridge was completed at 4 pm on Saturday.
ZJA Zwarts & Jansma Architecten is responsible for the architectural design of the lock complex in the Leie at Harelbeke of which the Hogebrug is an element. The new bridge is part of the Seine-Schelde project, which allows larger containers to pass trough inland waterways, and connects Antwerp with the basin of the Seine, in all a 350 million euro project.
Copyright photographs: Waterwegen en Zeekanaal nv