Following the example of the Flemish Government, the City of Antwerp council decided to further develop the procedure for the Scheldt Bridge. This is the preferred variant for an additional pedestrian and cyclist crossing of the Scheldt in the context of De Grote Verbinding (The Great Connection). If everything goes smoothly, the concrete specifications can be finalized this autumn, so that the tender can start in the first half of next year.

In June 2018, within the Toekomstverbond (Future Alliance), a ‘fixed cross-river connection’ was selected as one of 18 quality of life projects to improve both the (traffic) quality of life and the modal shift in the Antwerp region.

The city, together with De Vlaamse Waterweg NV, is now further elaborating the procedure for the Scheldt Bridge, according to the modalities decided by the Flemish government at the end of December last year. 

The award procedure and documents are set up together with Flanders, according to the tendering form ‘Design Build Maintain’ (DBM). The design, construction and maintenance are tendered in a single contract and entrusted to a market party or a consortium of market parties.

To research

The choice of the Scheldt Bridge as the preferred alternative to the Scheldt crossing for cyclists and pedestrians caused a number of concerns among various stakeholders: cyclists’ organisations, nautical users and upstream water-related companies had their specific reservations about a (partly movable) bridge as a preferred alternative.

De Vlaamse Waterweg NV investigated these comments in collaboration with the City of Antwerp and Team Intendant and in consultation with the stakeholders.

A mobility study showed that the Scheldt-crossing bicycle network with Scheldt Bridge is sufficiently robust and also makes a higher contribution to the modal shift than systems with a ferry or cable car. 

A collision risk analysis confirmed the proposed bridge concept and the usefulness of the mitigating measures proposed by DAB Loodswezen. An analysis of shipping to and from the upstream companies showed that the bridge has an operational and economic impact. However, this can be partly absorbed by, among other things, providing a removable bridge part.

Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA): “The Scheldt Bridge will make an enormous contribution to the modal shift of the city and region. It will connect to a series of new bicycle connections in all directions, and at the same time be the final piece of a real bicycle ring around Antwerp.”

A number of technical preparatory studies are currently ongoing; others are still being started with a view to the realization of the bridge project.

Award procedure/tender form

A target budget of 254 million euros has been set for the Scheldt Bridge, which is indexed annually at a maximum of 2%. The construction of the bridge is a project with a number of major challenges. It is therefore important to choose the procurement form that best meets these challenges.

An extensive consideration of the possible procedures showed that an integrated approach via a DBM form within the financial model for the quality of life projects and the global market situation is preferable.

Further trajectory

In the coming months, the City of Antwerp and De Vlaamse Waterweg NV will further co-creatively define the outlines of the specifications within the Scheldt Bridge workbench. And then, if everything goes smoothly, to finalize the synthesis into concrete specifications this autumn. The tender can then start in the first half of 2024.

All information about The Great Connection can be found at www.degroteverbinding.be.

On the look of Antwerp

• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Scheldekaaien or Scheldt Quays.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Zurenborg.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Cogels-Osylei between Berchem and Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighbourhood.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | De Gerlachekaai at the Scheldt.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Sint-Andriesplein.
• ANTWERP | Murals to return to Voetgangerstunnel.
• ANTWERP | Instant divide over Daniel Libeskind’s transformation design for Boerentoren.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
• Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Berchem.
• ANTWERP | City approves preliminary design for revamped Scheldt Quays’ section from Steenplein to Noorderterras.
• ANTWERP | Part of Scheldepark / Schipperspark / Zuidpark at Gedempte Zuiderdokken now open.
• ANTWERP | Major revamp of the Meirbrug – Suikerrui – Scheldt Quays axis to complete the Via Sinjoor.
• ANTWERP | Looking for Linkeroever Railway Station.
• ANTWERP | Renovation of Scheldt Quays between Sint-Andries and ‘t Zuid.
• ANTWERP | Final design revealed for Scheldt Quays at Nieuw Zuid.
• ANTWERP | 2023-2024 Park Gedempte Zuiderdokken to have grass and water.
• ANTWERP | City forest, orchard and pond for Nieuw Zuid Scheldt Quays by 2024.
• ANTWERP | Groenplaats to become green again.
• A sneak peek into Antwerp’s renovated City Hall.
• Antwerp’s Middelheim Museum rearranges sculpture park by the end of 2023.
• Redesigning Antwerp’s central Scheldt Quays between Noorderterras and Zuiderterras.
• Borsbeek to become Antwerp’s 10th district.
• Antwerp’s Droogdokkensite redeveloped into maritime experience area.
• VIDEO | The renovation of Antwerp City Hall.
• Antwerp-Central Railway Station to get new facade lights.
• Antwerp’s renewed Scheldt Quays at Loodswezen to get World War II victims memorial.
• ANTWERP | Bonapartedok to become centre for water sports and recreation.
• PHOTOS | Het Steen, Antwerp’s new Visitor Centre.
• VIDEO | Walking the future Spoorpark between Zurenborg (Antwerp) and Borgerhout.
• 5 spots in Antwerp to soak up the sun for free.
• VIDEO | Sunset over Antwerp’s Scheldt river.
• Antwerp to be car-free by 2024?.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Antwerp landmark Boerentoren to become Art & Culture Tower by 2027.
• Antwerp to get a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Scheldt.
• VIDEO | Bicycle ramp for Parkbrug at Park Spoor Noord / ‘t Eilandje in Antwerp opened.
• VIDEO | Antwerp researching old castle at Noorderterras.
• VIDEO | Pedestrian bridge in Antwerp’s Stadspark restored.
• Antwerp’s Rubens House to have new visitor centre by 2024.
• ANTWERP | Rubens House to close on 9 January 2023 and reopen in 2027.
• Noorderterras to become Kaailine, Antwerp’s New York-inspired High Line.
• Antwerp’s City Theatre Stadsschouwburg to be demolished, new playhouse elsewhere.
• ANTWERP | Wapper near Meir and Rubens House to be renovated into a contemporary and climate-robust city square.
• ANTWERP | Schuttershofstraat to become fully pedestrian shopping street.
• ANTWERP | Zuidpark to be completed by 2024.
• ANTWERP | Construction of Park Groot Schijn enters final phase.
• Antwerp lists Wolvenberg-Brilschans in Berchem now as nature reserve.
• ANTWERP | Preliminary design for revamped Stadspark approved.
• ANTWERP | Preliminary design for Masterplan Scheldt’s Linkeroever.
• ANTWERP | Loodswezensite gets temporary green area.
• ANTWERP | Phases 2 and 3 for Zuidpark.
• Antwerp to install recreational pontoon at Bonapartedok.
• ANTWERP | Brabo Fountain being restored.
• ANTWERP | Design team for reconstruction of Wapper chosen.
• Antwerp to redevelop Sint-Anneke Beach.
• ANTWERP | Landmark protection of two historic Scheldt harbour cranes confirmed.