Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Preparatory work began on October 16, 2025, on Hasselt’s new 55-meter pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Kanaalkom, costing €3 million, Alderman Laurence Libert said, opening planned for autumn 2026.
As VRT News reported, preparatory work started on Hasselt’s new pedestrian bridge over the canal basin on October 16, 2025. Laurence Libert, the city’s Alderman for Public Works, said the work marks the beginning of an important project for the city. The bridge is being built mostly in a workshop, away from the site.
She mentioned that once finished, it will be floated into the canal basin. The floating is planned for early next year, and the bridge should be fully open by autumn 2026. Libert said the goal is to create a bridge that is not only useful but also becomes a landmark for Hasselt residents and tourists.
“People should be able to relax on the bridge and enjoy the view.”
Councillor Laurence Libert
What makes Hasselt’s new pedestrian bridge over the Kanaalkom special?
The bridge will be 55 meters long and designed for both cyclists and pedestrians. It will have rest areas, benches, and greenery. It is high enough for boats to pass underneath safely. Officials mentioned that from the bridge, visitors will have clear views in 2 directions: toward the city centre and toward the outskirts.
The new cycling and pedestrian bridge over the Kanaalkom in Hasselt is the final phase of the Quartier Bleu project. The old bridge was demolished in 2014 to make room for new shops and apartments. For several years, the 2 banks remained unconnected. In 2020, the city proposed a new bridge with a 62-meter span and no supports in the water. Engineers later found that this design was not technically possible. The city had to develop a new structure to replace the old bridge.
The bridge has since evolved into an “experience bridge” with benches, greenery, and rest areas. It will give pedestrians and cyclists a space to pause and enjoy the surroundings. The upgrades also increased the project’s cost. What was originally budgeted at £2 million rose to £3 million. The bridge will now serve as both a practical link between the banks and a new landmark for Quartier Bleu and Hasselt’s city centre.
