Belgium: De Vlaamse Waterweg has chosen SPIE to modernise the Colomabrug bascule bridge in Mechelen

Anderlecht, 14 April 2025 – SPIE Belgium, a Belgian subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has completely renovated the Colomabrug bascule bridge, located on the Louvain-Dyle canal in Mechelen. This project, which was completed in fourteen days in March 2025, ensures the continuity of river and road traffic, while improving the safety and reliability of the infrastructure.

The continuity of river and road traffic is ensured

A strategic project carried out with precision

Located close to Mechelen train station and the ColomaPLUS school, the bridge is a very popular link for cyclists and pedestrians and plays an essential role in boat traffic on the Vaart waterway.

To ensure its smooth operation, De Vlaamse Waterweg NV entrusted SPIE Belgium with the renovation of electromechanical and hydraulic equipment.

The aim was to modernise the existing installations while respecting a reduced intervention period, in order to limit the impact on traffic.

“This project was a real team effort. We had to coordinate each step accurately to modernise the bascule bridge while maintaining its proper functioning within a tight timeframe. The upgrade of hydraulic and electrical equipment now allows more reliable and secure control. This is exactly what we do at SPIE: provide effective technical solutions that guarantee the sustainability of infrastructure,” explains Norman Kabir, Business Development Manager for SPIE Belgium’s Infrastructure division.

Targeted technical interventions

The work involved the complete modernisation of the bridge’s equipment, which included upgrading the hydraulic, electrical and control systems. SPIE’s teams, led on the ground by Tibo Geenen, Project Engineer for the Roads & Waterways department of SPIE Belgium, replaced the hydraulic equipment and optimised the control system, while incorporating safety and visibility improvements, such as signalling, lighting and alarm systems.

A direct impact on local mobility and navigation

The Dyle canal is an important axis for river transport in Belgium. Upgrading infrastructure is essential to maintaining the flow of traffic and ensuring user safety. Thanks to this work, the Colomabrug bascule bridge now has modernised equipment that ensures optimal operation and better safety for navigation and road traffic.

“The modernisation of the bascule bridge was a delicate operation, requiring a tailor-made approach and flawless execution. SPIE was able to meet this challenge by incorporating technical solutions adapted to the constraints of navigation and road traffic. The replacement of the hydraulic equipment and the optimisation of the control system now allow for smoother movement of the bridge, reducing the risk of technical incidents. This upgrade ensures traffic continuity and contributes to the sustainability of our infrastructure,” explains Jeroen De Winter, Project Engineer at De Vlaamse Waterweg NV.