Boulevard Bridge

About

The Boulevard Bridge is a bascule bridge in the municipality of Willebroek, Antwerp, over the Brussels-Schelde Canal. The bridge is located in the N177 along the Rupel Bridge. The transit traffic previously uses the Rupel tunnel under the Sea Canal and under the Rupel.

Sea channel: In the extension of the Willebroekse Vaart to a sea channel from Brussels to the Rupel in Wintam. In 1900, King Leopold II launched the expansion, which will take place in several phases. The construction of a horizontal bridge is planned for 1907, but the plans are adapted to a bascule bridge when the Belgian State announces the plans for the construction of a "boulevard" between Antwerp and Brussels (the current N177), which also explains the name of the bridge. In September 1914, on the eve of World War I, the works were completed and the canal and associated infrastructure could be put into operation. But during the war both the canal and various bridges are severely damaged. Already in 1917 repair work was carried out, so that on July 6, 1918 the first ships can sail through the new canal...