Temse Bridge

The Temse Bridge, known locally as the Scheldebrug, is a magnificent bridge complex that spans the Upper Sea Scheldt River at Temse, connecting the province of East Flanders with Antwerp in Belgium. This engineering marvel, comprising three bridges, is not just a vital transportation link but also a testament to the region's rich history and architectural prowess.

The Strategic Location and Function of Temse Bridge

The Temse Bridge connects the town of Temse in the Waasland region on the left bank of the Scheldt River with Bornem in Klein-Brabant on the right bank. The road bridge is part of the regional road N16, which links Sint-Niklaas with Mechelen. The railway bridge serves the railway line 54, running from Mechelen to Sint-Niklaas. This strategic location makes the Temse Bridge a critical infrastructure component, facilitating the movement of both road and rail traffic across the Scheldt River.

A Journey Through History

The history of the Temse Bridge dates back to the 14th century when ferries were used to cross the Scheldt at this location. The first bridge was constructed in 1870, designed by the renowned French engineer Gustave Eiffel. This 343-meter-long bridge was inaugurated on November 30, 1870, and featured two fixed approach spans with a truss structure and a swing section that provided two navigation channels of 20 meters each. It was part of the railway line 54 over the Scheldt from Mechelen to Terneuzen and also served as a toll bridge for pedestrians and animals.

During World War I, the bridge suffered significant damage but was subsequently repaired. However, in 1940, during World War II, the bridge was blown up by French and Belgian engineers for tactical reasons, leading to the reintroduction of a ferry service until 1955.

The Old Bridge

Construction of the current old bridge began on June 2, 1949, and it was completed in 1955. At 365 meters long, it was the longest bridge over water in Belgium until the construction of the new bridge. This bridge accommodated the railway line, a regional road with two lanes, and pedestrian and bicycle paths. The bridge was inaugurated on December 19, 1955, and featured a movable section initially spanning 30 meters. However, due to the explosive growth of the Boelwerf shipyard in the 1950s, this was insufficient, and in 1963, a new movable section with a span of 50 meters was installed, allowing the shipyard to build larger vessels.

In April 1994, the movable section of the bridge was replaced. In May 2005, the Flemish Government decided to duplicate the bridge. A symbolic first stone was laid in October 2006, and the construction work began in earnest in April 2007. The new bridge, known as the Scheldebrug Temse-Bornem, was completed at a cost of €23.5 million and became the longest bridge over water in Belgium.

The Modern Bridge

The new bridge, inaugurated on May 29, 2009, was constructed parallel to the existing bridge to alleviate traffic congestion. The fixed sections of the new bridge were installed in five segments between August and September 2008. This new bridge serves traffic heading towards Bornem, while the old bridge is reserved for traffic heading towards Temse, except during maintenance or repair work on the new bridge.

Between April 2018 and February 2021, the old bridge underwent a comprehensive renovation after an inspection revealed severe damage to the steel bridge deck plate of the movable section. The renovation involved restoring the steel bridge deck plate, applying a new anti-slip layer and markings, and refurbishing the entire bridge structure in three phases. Despite the traffic disruptions caused by these works, the railway traffic remained unaffected.

Technical Marvels

The original bridge designed by Eiffel was a swing bridge that provided a passage width of two times 20 meters when opened. The movable section of the old bridge, built in 1955, was a rolling bascule bridge with a length of 30 meters, which was replaced by a 50-meter rolling bascule bridge in 1963. The 2009 bridge is a double bascule bridge with movable sections totaling 50 meters in length and a total length of 374 meters, making it nine meters longer than the old bridge. When opened, the northern section of the bridge remains open the longest, rising first and lowering last.

Navigating the Scheldt

The old and new bridges are situated just ten meters apart, with equal passage widths for shipping. The maximum navigation speed is 14 kilometers per hour, and the waterway is suitable for ships of CEMT class VIb, allowing for push convoys up to 195 meters long. The free height of the bridge complex is 5.11 meters, and the navigation channel is 45 meters wide. Given Temse's location in a tidal section of the Scheldt, the clearance height of the closed bridge fluctuates twice daily between an average of 11.14 meters at TAW (average low water level in Ostend) and 5.94 meters at average high water level. This range can vary further due to factors such as weather conditions, seasons, and spring tides.

Names and Significance

The bridge complex at Temse is known by various names, including Scheldebrug and Temsebrug, sometimes with the addition of the Bornem side for the old traffic bridge. The Flemish Waterway Authority considers the complex as three separate bridges, named from west to east: Scheldebrug Temse-Bornem (the new traffic bridge), Scheldebrug Bornem-Temse (the old traffic bridge), and Spoorbrug Temse (the railway bridge).

The Temse Bridge is not just a vital infrastructure link but also a symbol of the region's resilience and innovation. Its rich history, spanning centuries, and its modern engineering marvels make it a fascinating destination for visitors and a crucial artery for the region's transportation network.