Sweco Belgium
Higher Zenne Bridges for Better Water Drainage and Cycling Comfort
De Vlaamse Waterweg nv announces the renewal of three bridges over the Zenne between Vilvoorde and Zemst. These new, higher bridges will protect the region against high water levels and significantly improve comfort for cyclists and pedestrians. Sweco is responsible for project management, studies, design, and the tender and environmental permit dossiers.
The renewal of three outdated bridges over the Zenne in Vilvoorde (Radiatorenstraat and Havendoklaan) and Zemst (Brusselsesteenweg) is necessary because the trio of bridges hinders the Zenne’s water drainage during heavy or prolonged rainfall and the structures are reaching the end of their lifespan. The new, higher bridges will not only improve water drainage capacity and withstand the extreme water levels that regularly plague the river, but will also provide more comfort for cyclists and pedestrians.
High water of 1 September 2023 in Eppegem © De Vlaamse Waterweg nv
Cycling Safety and Smoother Traffic Flows
Cycling comfort and safety are central to each of the three bridges. For example, Radiatorenstraat will get a new cycling bridge that is no longer accessible to other traffic. Conflict points will be minimized.
In Zemst, cyclist safety will be increased by crossing the Brusselsesteenweg via a cycling tunnel. Because the Brusselsesteenweg is an important connection for traffic between Mechelen, Zemst center, Vilvoorde, etc. it was decided to route the F1 through a tunnel under the N1. This way, the two traffic flows no longer hinder each other, resulting in increased safety. On the bridge itself, cyclists and pedestrians will have much more space than today.
Multidisciplinary Approach
Sweco is studying the preliminary and final design of the three bridges, using a multidisciplinary approach. We are also preparing the tender and environmental permit dossiers. This translates into a range of specialized services we provide:
- Bridge, road, and landscape design
- Hydrodynamic study with modeling of water levels and drainage capacity of the Zenne
- Demolition follow-up during the demolition of existing bridges
- Traffic and basic accessibility
- Project management
Slim Bridge Design
When raising the bridges, consideration must be given to the existing roads and adjacent homes. Especially for the bridge on Radiatorenstraat and Brusselsesteenweg, it is not possible to raise the road level entirely. Therefore, the bridge design always starts with a very slim deck, so the road layout is maintained while striving for as much space as possible between the bridge and the water.
The bridge on Radiatorenstraat is currently the only access to the PB Leiner site. This bridge will be replaced by a cycling bridge on the existing foundations. For other traffic, a new access road will be built, which is also part of the project. The bridge on Havendoklaan will have a slimmer design, with more attention to active road users. As with Radiatorenstraat, the new bridge deck will be built on the existing foundations.
In Zemst, not only will the bridge be replaced, but a cycling tunnel will also be constructed to resolve the conflict between Brusselsesteenweg and the F1 cycle highway. Unlike the other two bridges, the substructure and foundation will be completely renewed here. The new bridge will be an architectural steel arch bridge 24 meters long. This unexpected bridge typology for such a short span allows for a very slim deck and simultaneously forms the gateway to the village center of Eppegem.
Visit the project pages: N1 Eppegem | Radiatorenstraat | Havendoklaan
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