Sarens Lifts 150 Tonne Bospoort Bridge Deck Across Belgian Canal

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A key infrastructure project in the Belgian city of Halle reached a significant milestone as Sarens completed the installation of the new Bospoort Bridge deck over the Brussels Charleroi Canal.

The operation involved lifting a 150 tonne bridge deck into position as part of a wider urban mobility upgrade designed to improve connections for cyclists, pedestrians, and public transport users.

Before installation, the 34 metre long and 9 metre wide bridge deck was loaded in Sint Pieters Leeuw and transported to Halle by barge. The use of inland waterways reduced the need for heavy road transport and enabled the oversized structure to be delivered directly to the project site.

Once the bridge arrived in Halle, two cranes were deployed to lift the deck across the canal and position it above its future operating level.

Moving a bridge deck of this size can be compared to placing a large puzzle piece into a narrow gap. Precision during the lifting process was critical to ensure safe installation while maintaining access to the busy waterway.

The bridge deck has been installed at a temporary height of 1.6 metres above its final closed position. This arrangement allows vessel traffic on the Brussels Charleroi Canal to continue operating safely while construction teams complete the remaining phases of the project.

When completed, the Bospoort Bridge will function as a modern movable table bridge, providing improved access across the canal while preserving navigation for commercial and recreational vessels.

The project is being delivered in collaboration with BESIX and the City of Halle, combining civil engineering, heavy lifting, and inland waterway logistics expertise to support the city’s infrastructure development plans.