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ANTWERP | Start of tendering phase for pedestrian and cyclist Scheldt Bridge

Posted by Timothy on

The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp and the board of directors of De Vlaamse Waterweg nv approved the tender documents for the DBM procedure (Design Build Maintain) for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Scheldt. This means that the tendering phase can now start for what should become a permanent bank connection between the right and left banks.

​A Scheldt Bridge for cyclists and pedestrians is planned in the south of the city, at the Kennedy Tunnel, within the liveability projects of De Grote Verbinding. This bridge will bring the left and right banks closer together, more smoothly and comfortably, and together with the new Scheldt Tunnel next to the Oosterweel connection in the north of the city, complete the cycle ring around Antwerp. In this way, it makes a major contribution to realising the proposed modal shift in the Antwerp region.

Extensive assignment

In addition to the construction of the new Scheldt Bridge, the assignment also includes the stabilisation and redevelopment of the Scheldt Quays and the raising of the water barrier in the context of the Sigma Plan on the right bank at the bridge. This will optimise the coherence between both projects.

The maintenance of the bridge for a period of 25 years is also part of the assignment. In this way, the designers and builders of the bridge are encouraged to design a bridge that is as efficient and reliable as possible, in the interests of cyclists and shipping on the Scheldt.

Procedure

The current phase runs until September 2025, when the first tenders must be submitted. The further procedure provides for questions for clarification and interim explanations to the candidate contractors, after which a final tender is expected by September 2026. 

According to this indicative timing, the award would be completed in February 2027.

Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA): “This is a historic opportunity for Antwerp. The construction of the bridge offers the opportunity to develop the immediate surroundings into a new, meaningful public location for the city. It will also become a lever for many positive developments in the area of ​​local economy, recreation, catering, events, sports and games and even tourism.”

“The contract we are issuing includes all the requirements and necessary measures to build a safe and functional bridge. We are aiming for a bridge with an optimal clearance height, which will limit the number of necessary bridge openings. Safety for shipping and bridge users is essential to us and that is why the contract provides for strict requirements regarding collision protection and efficient bridge evacuation, chairman Koen Anciaux and managing director Chris Danckaerts of De Vlaamse Waterweg nv emphasize.

The outgoing Flemish Vice-Minister-President and Minister of Mobility, Public Works and Home Affairs Lydia Peeters (Open Vld): “The new bridge over the Scheldt provides a comfortable connection for cyclists and pedestrians between Antwerp and the Waasland. We hope to convince even more people to leave their cars at home and travel by bike. With this project we are taking an important step in the modal shift, in and around Antwerp.”

Unique location

The future Scheldt Bridge is located at a prime location within the city. It forms the crossroads and intersection between the Scheldt Quays on the right bank and the Ring Parks, the transition from the public Scheldt Qquays to an industrial estate (Blue Gate), and the connection to the left bank for cyclists and pedestrians.

On the look of Antwerp

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