Early on the morning of 2025-05-14 17:46:00, a 4.5-ton counterweight fell from the cyclists and pedestrians bridge over the Oostendse Vaart in Stalhille. This unexpected incident caused the bridge to bend and blocked the waterway, disrupting local shipping traffic. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
- 4.5-ton counterweight fell on bridge
- Bridge damage blocks ship traffic temporarily
- Authorities redirect cyclists via alternative route
- Engineers to assess and plan repairs
- Mayor demands investigation into cause
- Priority given to obstacle removal
According to Geert Weymeis, spokesperson for De Vlaamse Waterweg in West Flanders, the counterweight detached as the bridge was raised for a passing inland vessel. Cyclists now face a detour to the higher bridge over the Expresweg, located 700 meters away, affecting daily commutes between Stalhille and Jabbeke.
What caused such a heavy counterweight to suddenly drop from a relatively new bridge? The investigation is ongoing, but this incident raises serious safety concerns and questions about maintenance. Here is a quick overview of the situation.
Could metal fatigue or faulty bolts be to blame for the failure of a bridge only 17 years old? The mayor of Jabbeke, Frank Casteleyn, points to possible issues with stainless steel bolts, which may break more easily than expected. This raises important questions for infrastructure safety in Belgium:
- Are current maintenance checks sufficient for pedestrian bridges?
- How reliable are materials like inox bolts under Belgian weather conditions?
- What measures can prevent future disruptions to local waterways?
As engineers assess the damage and plan removal of the obstacle, authorities must prioritize swift restoration of the waterway. Meanwhile, the public awaits answers on the cause of this rare but impactful accident. Will this lead to stricter safety protocols for bridges across Belgium?
