Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The renovated bridge between Vilvoorde and Steenokkerzeel reopened with improved safety and nature features involving AWV VLM Vilvoorde Steenokkerzeel Flemish Brabant, replacing 8000 m² of old road.
As VRT News reported, the newly renovated bridge between Vilvoorde and Steenokkerzeel officially opened in a community event. Pupils from Tilia (Steenokkerzeel) and De Lampion (Vilvoorde) primary schools, along with residents, were there. They walked across the bridge together, showing the renewed link between the 2 areas.
The Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV), the Flemish Land Agency (VLM), the city of Vilvoorde, the municipality of Steenokkerzeel, and the province of Flemish Brabant worked together on this project. They want to build infrastructure that helps both people and the environment.
How did Vilvoorde’s green bridge reconnect nature and people?
According to officials, the bridge was fixed with new concrete. They added new waterproofing to stop weather damage and put up taller railings for safety. The railings help cyclists and walkers stay safe and reduce light that could bother animals. The bridge is now a path for animals, letting them cross safely.
They mentioned that the bridge project between Vilvoorde and Steenokkerzeel wasn’t just about fixing the bridge; it was also about making things better for nature, animals, and people. They swapped about 8,000 square meters of old road with new, nature-friendly stuff.
According to Vilvoorde’s Nature leader Jeroen Bergers, this makes the city a better place to live. They also added things like a cattle grid to keep animals safe and widened canals with small dams to help with water and support plants and animals that live in water.
Kids learned how the bridge helps people move around and also helps animals. A special comic book called “The Beastly Bridge” was made to show how the bridge helps animals in a fun way. They also fixed the bridge to make sure it lasts a long time and is safe.
Annick De Ridder, a government official, said she was happy with the project. She said it’s important to fix bridges to keep them safe and working well for the future. In 2024, they spent a lot of money on fixing bridges, and fixing them on time can make them last much longer.
