New milestone for R4WO: Ringvaart Bridge installed in its final position

Over the weekend of 21–22 March 2026, the new bridge across the Ghent Ringvaart was installed with exceptional precision and under strict safety controls. Its placement marks an important milestone for R4WO, the project transforming the R4 ring road to improve traffic flow, safety and connectivity between the port zone and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Annick De Ridder (in the middle in the picture below) visited the site to witness the works: “This is an exceptionally impressive operation. I’m pleased to see how smoothly the major works on the R4 West and East are progressing. With this large‑scale investment project, we are strengthening two vital arteries for the Ghent port area. A true leverage project, delivering significant societal value.”

^{All pictures below to BRAVO4.}

Entirely made of steel and comparable in size to a football pitch, the bridge weighs 2,600 tonnes and measures 106 metres long, 55 metres wide and 30 metres high. It was designed by Belgian architect Laurent Ney and further refined by BRAVO4’s engineering teams. All steel elements were manufactured by Victor Buyck Steel Construction and assembled directly alongside the Ringvaart.

With its distinctive steel pyramid form, the structure will become a recognisable new gateway between the municipality of Evergem and Ghent.

The installation unfolded in several stages and demanded millimetre‑accurate execution. Using Self‑Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs), the northern section of the deck was loaded onto a pontoon, transported across the Ringvaart and carefully manoeuvred from both banks towards the abutments. A second pontoon ensured the perfect final alignment before the structure was lowered into place.

The temporary bypass over the Ringvaart will remain in operation while work on the new bridge continues. In the spring of 2026, the concrete deck and asphalt layers will be added. If all goes to plan, road users will be able to drive across the new connection in autumn 2026.

The Ringvaart Bridge is one element of the comprehensive redevelopment of R4 West and East – a project modernising the northern sections of the R4 to enhance safety, streamline traffic and support sustainable mobility. In total, 22 junctions will be redesigned and 27 kilometres of high‑quality cycling infrastructure will be created along and across the R4. The project runs until 2031 and represents an investment of €726 million.

Under the DBFM model, BRAVO4 – including BESIX and BESIX Infra – is responsible for the design, construction, financing and 30‑year maintenance of the works. For BESIX and its partners, this milestone again demonstrates how design expertise and engineering know‑how come together in a complex infrastructure project with substantial societal value.