Sweco Belgium
Werken aan de Ring: Wooden Bridge as the Final Touch for a High-Quality Cycle Highway
With the cycle highway F203, we are creating a smooth cycling route with safe crossings between Brussels and Bertem. Contractor Viabuild is currently working on the final bridge construction in wood and concrete, commissioned by De Werkvennootschap. This project was developed by the interdisciplinary expert team of THV MoVeR0 (Sweco & Arcadis with architect ZJA), responsible for the design and study from the initial project note to the permit, the final design, and the specifications.
Aesthetic, Environmentally Friendly, and Renewable
The warm, natural appearance of wood ensures that the bridge fits perfectly into the green surroundings, making your bike ride even more enjoyable.
By choosing wood, we contribute to sustainable forest management and reduce the ecological footprint of infrastructure projects. Wooden bridges are durable and can last many years without much maintenance, making them a cost-effective choice in the long term. Moreover, wood is an environmentally responsible material. It is renewable and has a much lower impact on the environment than other building materials such as steel or concrete.
Additionally, wood is a very workable material, meaning it can be easily adapted to specific design requirements and environmental factors. This makes it possible to create unique and custom-made bridges that perfectly meet the needs of users and the environment.
Cross-section of this wood-concrete bridge. Wooden beams with a concrete deck form an ideal combination. The concrete acts as a canopy that protects the wood from rain and water infiltration, extending the lifespan of the wooden beams.
Wood as a Natural Material
Designing and building a wooden cycle bridge brings various challenges. By carefully addressing these, this bridge is not only sustainable and environmentally friendly but also comfortable and safe for cyclists.
- Weather Influences: Untreated wood is sensitive to weather influences. To extend its lifespan, special protective agents are applied to keep the wood free from moisture, UV radiation, and fungi.
- Stability: Wood is also a living material that reacts to changes in the environment, such as temperature and humidity. This can lead to expansion and contraction. In the design, we take these properties into account and allow sufficient space for movement.
- Cycling Comfort: To improve cycling comfort, we provide a concrete deck instead of wooden slats. Concrete offers a smooth and stable surface, ensuring a comfortable and safe cycling experience. However, it is important to design the connection between the concrete deck and the wooden structure well to prevent stress and cracks. Prefabricated concrete elements offer an efficient solution here, as they can be placed quickly and accurately.
- Span: When designing a wooden cycle bridge, it is important to consider the span. Wooden beams must be strong enough to bear the load of the bridge without bending. Laminated wood offers a good solution, as it is stronger than solid wood and can handle larger spans.
Cycling in the Green Along the E40
The cycle highway F203 along the E40 provides a smooth, green connection between Brussels and Bertem. The construction of the F203 is carried out in different zones. De Werkvennootschap is responsible for the following zones:
- Woluwedal – Tollaan (completed)
- Tollaan – Gemeenschappenlaan (completed)
- Woluwedal – Oudstrijderslaan (completed)
- Kortenberg – Bertem (in progress)
- Sterrebeek – Kortenberg (completed/planned)
In addition to safe and conflict-free cycling infrastructure, much attention was paid to the experience aspect for cyclists. Along the embankments of the E40, the challenge was to integrate the infrastructure into the valuable ecological environment.
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