Heatwave Halts Shipping on Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal.. Critical Drawbridges Fail Yesterday

Heatwave Disrupts Shipping as Key Drawbridges Fail on Dessel Canal

On the Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten Canal, all car bridges will stay down, halting navigation—a precaution after yesterday’s heat caused dangerous bridge blockages.
Marie Dupont2 July 2025Last Update :
Geen scheepvaart door hitte op Kanaal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten: "Ophaalbruggen werkten gisteren niet"
www.vrt.be

On 2025-07-02 13:29:00, the Vlaamse Waterweg announced a new measure affecting the Kanaal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten. To prevent disruptions caused by recent heatwaves, all car bridges along this canal will remain lowered indefinitely. This decision means that boat traffic will be completely halted in the area.

6 Key Takeaways
  • Autobruggen Kanaal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten blijven omlaag
  • Scheepvaart op kanaal wordt onmogelijk gemaakt
  • Vlaamse Waterweg neemt hittevoorzorgsmaatregel
  • Hitte veroorzaakte gisteren brugblokkades
  • Autobestuurders moesten door blokkades wachten
  • Woordvoerder Stinissen wil wachttijden vermijden

The move comes after several bridges became stuck due to the intense heat, causing significant delays for motorists. “We want to avoid drivers waiting in traffic jams caused by bridge malfunctions,” said spokesperson Liliane Stinissen. This proactive step aims to maintain safety and traffic flow during extreme weather conditions.

How will this impact local commuters and businesses relying on canal navigation? And what alternatives are available for affected boat operators? The answers reveal the broader challenges of adapting infrastructure in a warming climate.

Fast Answer: Due to heat-related bridge malfunctions, all car bridges on the Kanaal Dessel-Turnhout-Schoten will stay lowered, stopping boat traffic and prioritizing road users in this key Belgian waterway.

The decision raises important questions about balancing road and waterway traffic in Belgium’s busy transport network. While prioritizing motorists reduces wait times and avoids heat-induced bridge failures, it also halts commercial and recreational navigation. Key points include:

  • Heat causes mechanical issues that block bridges, impacting traffic flow.
  • Lowering all car bridges prioritizes road safety and driver convenience.
  • Boat operators lose access to the canal, affecting logistics and tourism.
  • Long-term infrastructure resilience may require further investment.
This measure highlights how extreme weather increasingly disrupts Belgian transport infrastructure, urging authorities to prepare for more climate-related challenges.

As temperatures rise, will similar precautions become the norm across Belgium’s waterways? Authorities and users alike should stay informed and consider alternative routes or transport modes while solutions are developed to safeguard both road and water traffic.

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