Verapaz: new bridge enhances traffic flow and livability in Ghent
As part of Ghent’s mobility plan, construction of the new Verapaz Bridge is moving forward at full speed. This bridge will not only enhance traffic flow between the city's ring road (R40) and the nearby highways (R4, E17, E34, and E40), but it will also bring new energy to the Old Docks neighborhood, boosting its livability.
Two bridge decks
The Verapaz Bridge project actually consists of two bridge decks connecting Muidelaan and Afrikalaan across the Handelsdok. The name “Verapaz” is a nod to a former Belgian colony in Guatemala that was once supplied by ships from Ghent.
Witteveen+Bos, in close collaboration with MAAT Designers and Marie-José Van Hee Architects, designed this complex project for the Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic, City of Ghent, Farys, De Lijn, and De Vlaamse Waterweg. Alongside design, Witteveen+Bos also oversees construction activities.
'This bridge shifts the ring road (R40) to Afrikalaan and Koopvaardijlaan.'
According to Bart Jansen, project leader at Witteveen+Bos, 'The Verapaz project is a true engineering feat. Each bridge deck spans over 100 meters, making prefabricated options very challenging. Instead, we decided on an in-situ construction method. However, this also requires a temporary bridge to support the formwork, with multiple pillars submerged in the water, anchored deep with pile foundations.'
Innovative trough girders
'Maintaining a low bridge height was also key,' says Gil Croonen, stability consultant at Witteveen+Bos. 'We opted for post-tensioned trough bridges. The load-bearing beams extend above the concrete roadway, creating a trough shape that keeps the deck low. Alongside these girders, we attached cantilevered steel decks, 4 meters wide, with a distinctive architectural design that separates cyclists and pedestrians from motor traffic.'
Smooth flow and maximum safety
Each direction of traffic has its own bridge deck with two lanes. Traffic lights at Muidelaan ensure safe crossing for cyclists and pedestrians, while Afrikalaan features a seamless connection to a new traffic circle with more crossings. Further down Koopvaardijlaan, a turnaround point allows easy access between Vliegtuiglaan and Afrikalaan.
A green space for the community
In addition to easing traffic and ensuring road user safety, improving the neighborhood’s livability is a priority. Both banks of the Handelsdok will be transformed into green meeting spaces with wide paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
Complexity and collaboration
Bart Jansen emphasizes the project's complexity: 'This is a highly integrated project—bridge, ground level, surroundings, and existing infrastructure all intersect. As a multidisciplinary consultancy, we are well-equipped to tackle each challenge. Working with committed partners with the expertise needed has enabled us to navigate this complex project. Despite the hurdles, we found solutions for every obstacle to ensure the project’s completion by the end of 2025.'
Immediate approval for the complex environmental permit
In 2017, legislation surrounding permit applications changed. The existing building permit and environmental permit were merged into a single new ‘environmental permit’. Applications now had to be submitted digitally through the Flemish Environmental Portal.
Especially in the initial phase, many cities and municipalities were still finding their way through the correct procedural steps. To streamline the process, we decided to hold constructive consultations with the permitting authority, the Department of Environment. As a result, this highly complex file was not only submitted promptly and in the correct format, but Verapaz also received approval in a single round.
More Information?
Our projects
Every year we work on almost 5,000 projects on water, infrastructure, environment and construction.
