The new bicycle bridge over the Tijarm of the Scheldt should be completed next summer. The Vlaamse Waterweg nv and Eiland Zwijnaarde nv have started the construction of a safe and comfortable connection between the business park and the Zwijnaardsesteenweg. The connection of the towpath with the Zwijnaardsesteenweg will be improved and widened. Cycling from Merelbeke to the center of Ghent will soon become a lot more pleasant. The concrete bridge will be more than 6 meters wide and 88 meters long. We will raise the adjacent dyke for better protection against high water levels.
Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters: “The new bicycle bridge over the Tijarm
of the Scheldt will connect the business park Eiland Zwijnaarde with the Zwijnaardsesteenweg I do
connection Merelbeke–Making Ghent city center a lot more pleasant. The new bridge now providesnot just for
a secure and comfortable connection but shortens the cycling distance by no less than 2 kilometers. It
business park is an employment pool that is in full development and will provide more than 3000 jobs.
The bicycle bridge therefore forms a extra incentive for all these employees to cycle to work.
In addition, the bicycle bridge is also part of the wider bicycle network of Ghent, Merelbeke and the surrounding area
congregations. Along the side of Merelbeke, the bridge will connect to the towpath next to the Tijarm. The
connection of the towpath with the Zwijnaardsesteenweg will be better and wider in the future.”
“We are developing a new, sustainable business park in Zwijnaarde and then of course we have to
the living–work traffic thinking. We also want that to be as safe and sustainable as possible, which is why this bicycle bridge.
Ideal for those who are going to work in Zwijnaarde Island, but also for anyone who goes to the center by bike
from Ghent wil drive“, thus ships Sofie Bracke, also chairman of the Board of Directors of nv Eiland
swine earth.
On this right bank, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv will carry out works over 400 meters within the framework of the
Sigma plan. The dike on which the new bridge connects, will be increased to 8 meters and Merelbeke will be better
protect against flooding of the Scheldt. This is necessary, because the tide and high water levels, which
caused by storms in the North Sea, reach all the way to Merelbeke.
