Maaseik (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Flanders will spend over €6 million in the next 2 years to protect Maaseik and Heppeneert from flooding, including a new water passage. Mayor Gunther Haeldermans supports the plan.
As VRT News reported, the Flemish government will spend more than €6 million to protect Maaseik, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, and Heppeneert from flooding. This decision comes after the high water in July 2021. Most of the money, over €6 million, will go to a new water passage between the Meuse River and the Heerenlaakplas.
According to officials, the old passage often gets blocked with sand and mud when the water is high. That makes it hard for extra water to flow through. This can cause flooding in the area. The new passage will be built 300 meters upstream. It will follow the river’s flow better. This will help the water move more easily into the Heerenlaakplas. That will lower the pressure on the riverbanks and nearby places.
In 2026, the city will get €5.5 million for the work. In 2027, they will get another €900,000. Mayor Gunther Haeldermans says the Meuse River can rise fast and be hard to control. A 2nd flood project is also planned, but there are no details yet. These plans will help keep the area safer in the future.
How is Maaseik preparing for future floods and a new bridge?
Maaseik is getting ready for heavy rain. The city is building new defenses against flooding. The mayor, Gunther Haeldermans, says this is important. This will help protect homes and the environment. The government wants to make Maaseik safer from floods. This is part of a plan to deal with climate change.
The city has been planning a 2nd big project for many years: building a new bridge over the River Maas. In the newest investment plan, the city has set aside more than €2 million for this project. They mentioned that the amount may look small for a large bridge, but the city explains it is only extra money.
A significant portion of the funding, around €26 million, was already committed from the Flemish government and the European Union. The new funds will help sustain the excess or unanticipated costs over the next phases of the project.
“The project simply remains included in Flanders’ plans. There is no discussion about that. This has also been clearly confirmed by the competent authorities and cabinets. The new bridge is essential for Maaseik and the region. I remain 100% committed to moving this project forward,”
Gunther Haeldermans says.
According to officials, the new bridge will be placed a few meters upstream from the current one so that no houses or future housing projects need to be removed for the work. The design of the bridge will make it longer and higher than the one in use now. This is to help it stay safe and strong during times of high water or floods.
Even though the planning and funding are mostly ready, the building work has not started yet. The city is still waiting for one last permit from the Dutch side, because the bridge will connect both countries. City leaders stay hopeful, as they think the permit will come soon. Once that happens, the project that people have been waiting for can finally begin.
