Antwerp confirms to build bicycle bridge over river Scheldt

According to the new administrative agreement between N-VA and Vooruit in Antwerp, the controversial quay tunnel at Steenplein will not be built. Instead, a bicycle bridge over Scheldt will be built, with a 25 km/hour speed limit for bicycle paths. Last weekend, Bart De Wever (N-VA) and Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit) proposed the new agreement.

Antwerp, the largest city in Flanders, is aware of its mobility problems and wants to address them. To reduce the car pressure around the city, the bicycle bridge over the Scheldt, already announced in 2019, is reconfirmed in the agreement, just like the intention to provide a bicycle connection in the Oosterweel-Scheldt tunnel. Both must connect to the cycle path and thus complete the cycle circle around Antwerp.

Most interesting choice

The Scheldt bridge for cyclists and pedestrians will bring the left and right banks closer, smoother, and more comfortable together. The project is expected to be ready by 2029. “If we want to realize a modal shift in the future, in which only 50% of trips are made by car, a smooth connection for active road users between the left and right banks is necessary.”

The decision to build a cycling and walking bridge over the Scheldt at the Kennedy tunnel was made after thorough study. Various alternatives and variants were investigated in terms of traffic, nautical, and financial aspects. A riverside connection in the form of a cycling and walking bridge emerged as the most interesting choice.

On the other hand, the quay tunnel was a hot topic during the negotiations and will not be built. Vooruit has consistently opposed it for fear of more traffic. 

‘Absurd proposal’

The city council wants a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour on all cycle paths in Antwerp, including along regional roads. When mopeds or speed pedelecs wish to travel faster than 25 km/hour, they must do so on the road or bicycle highways.

However, the Antwerp Cyclists’ Union is against what they call an “absurd proposal.” They plead for the introduction of zone 30 everywhere, much more than is currently happening, because then that speed limit would apply to everyone, and it would not be necessary to limit cyclists’ speed. Yet, 30 kilometers per hour on cycle paths is too fast for the Antwerp city council.

Other plans

The city of Antwerp retains the low-emission zone, as provided for in current Flemish legislation, as long as it is not tightened. Vintage cars over thirty years old also retain free admission. 

Preparatory works on the F11 cycle highway between Antwerp and Lier will start on Tuesday, December 17th. The cycle route will be wider and have a new, comfortable asphalt layer. If everything goes according to plan, cyclists will be able to use the renovated cycling infrastructure by the summer of 2025.