The new Verapaz Bridge in Ghent has officially opened, marking a significant milestone in local infrastructure. Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder and Ghent Mobility Alderman Joris Vandenbroucke celebrated the occasion on 2025-07-08 16:10:00 with a symbolic ceremony and a ride across the bridge in a cycle taxi. This new addition promises to reshape traffic flow in the city.
- Vlaams minister De Ridder inaugureert Verapazbrug
- Samenwerking Gent en Vlaanderen benadrukt bij opening
- Verapazbrug vertraagd door grondvrijmaking en kosten
- Brug opent 11 juli, R40-verkeer wordt verlegd
- Nieuwe route leidt verkeer weg van Dampoort
- Publiek kan brug donderdag vooraf bekijken
After years of delays and complex land acquisitions, the Verapaz Bridge now connects key parts of Ghent, easing congestion on the R40 ring road. The bridge will open to traffic on July 11, bringing much-needed relief to busy routes near Dok-Noord, Dok-Zuid, and Dampoort. How will this impact daily commutes and local traffic patterns? Let’s explore what this means for Ghent residents.
Why has the Verapaz Bridge taken so long to complete, and what benefits can locals expect? The project highlights the challenges of urban infrastructure development but also showcases successful cooperation between city and regional governments. Key points include:
- Two separate bridge sections built to handle traffic in both directions, costing around €18.5 million.
- Redirection of thousands of vehicles away from congested city centre roads and the Dampoort roundabout.
- Direct connection from the R40 ring road to the R4 via Afrikalaan and Koopvaardijlaan, reducing inner-city traffic.
- An open day on July 10 allows residents to preview the bridge before it officially opens.
As the Verapaz Bridge opens, Ghent residents are encouraged to explore new routes and adapt to changing traffic patterns. Will this bridge set a precedent for future projects? Only time will tell, but the cooperation demonstrated here is a promising sign for upcoming infrastructure developments in Belgium.
