Opening of cycle and pedestrian Blauwersbrug bridge, Menen (BE)

Last Sunday, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv and the City of Menen opened the new cycle and pedestrian bridge over the Leie. The bridge was also given its name at the opening ceremony.  The name “De Blauwersbrug” honours the unique past of the border town. In the last century – especially between the world wars – the neighbourhood was the scene of creative smuggling practices. Coffee, butter, alcohol and cigarettes were smuggled across the border by so-called “blauwers”. The bridge connects Barakkenpark with the Vauban sports centre. It is an important investment in safe slow traffic between the city centre and the Barakken neighbourhood.

The construction of the new cycle and pedestrian bridge is part of the Leie works in Menen, co-financed by the European Union, which are part of the realisation of the Seine-Scheldt network designed to make inland waterway transport smoother and more sustainable. Ney & Partners was responsible for the design of this bridge; SBE carried out the calculations for the new quay walls. Omgeving is responsible for the landscaping around the bridge, as well as the new Barakkenpark near the new bridge, which opened in early 2024.