Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A €3.4 million Dutch bascule bridge over the Binnendijle will link Winketkaai, Keerdok, Battelsesteenweg and Mechelen-Noord, with completion expected end-2026 or early 2027, says Greet Geypen.
As VRT News reported, a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge will be built over the Binnendijle in Mechelen. The city expects the bridge to be ready at the end of next year or early 2027. It will be a Dutch bascule bridge, a type that lifts to let boats pass and is common in the Netherlands.
“The bridge can be opened and closed to allow boats moored in the city center to pass through,”
explains Alderman for Urban Development Greet Geypen (Mechelen).
“Because it’s not a ‘fixed” bridge, it’s costing more than originally estimated.”
What is the timeline for Mechelen’s €3.4M Binnendijle bridge?
The project has been planned for several years. The city completed the design and filed a building permit, but tenders came in much higher than expected. Work stalled due to budget limits, yet Mechelen decided not to cancel the plan.
The full cost is set at €3.4 million, and officials say the bridge is worth the investment. The structure should improve mobility and upgrade the riverside area once it is in use. The lifting movement will become part of the river view and add a new daily feature to the cityscape.
“The new bridge fits into the entire development of the Keerdok, which will include a new park and a new swimming area.”
Greet Geypen (For Mechelen), Alderman for Urban Development
A new bicycle and pedestrian bridge will cross the Binnendijle between Winketkaai and Keerdok in Mechelen. The bridge will give a straight link between Battelsesteenweg and Mechelen-Noord and will serve as a car-free route for daily use. It will follow the Dutch bascule system, which lifts to let boats pass without blocking traffic.
The bridge fits within the larger redevelopment of Keerdok. Since the design was completed earlier and the permit is already approved, work can start without major delay.
“The building permit application and specifications are ready. This means we can tender the project next year. The bridge could be completed by the end of 2026 or the beginning of 2027,”
Geypen concludes.
The bridge is included in the broader redevelopment process of the Keerdok site. The Keerdok Site was an Industrial area in the city; now, the City is working to redevelop this area to be a new neighbourhood, which will have homes, parkland and community amenities.
The Keerdokpark has already been developed as part of this process; parts of it will open in 2024 and 2025 and will be added later in conjunction with other buildings being developed. Additionally, the city has prepared a plan for a public swimming beach in the Binnendijle and new pathways along the waterfront so that visitors can have access to this area of the city.
