Shovel for Limburg’s eco-connections goes into the ground

The construction of the new ecoduct over the N71 in Lommel will start in a few weeks’ time and the construction of the ecopassage under the N76 in Oudsbergen is planned for early 2024.

Simulation of ecoduct Lommel © De Werkvennootschap

This is being done as part of the Ecological Defragmentation Action Programme (VAPEO). Sweco is responsible for the design, together with Jan De Nul, commissioned by De Werkvennootschap. Our experts in civil engineering, landscape and ecology are thus boosting the habitat for fauna and flora in Limburg.

The VAPEO plan, with the support of Ministers of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters and of Environment Zuhal Demir, includes projects along regional roads that will reconnect animal habitats in the coming years, including passages to safely cross the road. This way, we contribute to the restoration of ecosystems and the development of a network of coherent nature in Flanders.

The ecoduct over the N71 connects to the new national park Bosland, the ecopassage under the N76 at the Terril Zwartberg forms a stepping stone from the Hoge Kempen National Park. Each ecopassage has a dry, an intermediate, and a wet zone. At the N76, we also provide space for recreationists.