Demolition Merksem Viaduct in Antwerp marks new phase in Oosterweel Link project

The removal of the 55-year-old viaduct closes a chapter in Antwerp’s history. The viaduct will be replaced by a sunken Ring that will provide smoother and safer traffic flows.

Over the coming months, the first eleven bridge sections will be dismantled in phases, with a strong focus on safety and sustainability. Street lamps, asphalt and barriers will go first, followed by the deck and pillars. Noise barriers and misting systems will help reduce nuisance. At the same time, sound and vibrations are continuously monitored. If standards are exceeded, measures will be taken. Rubble will be crushed on-site and reused later, a circular approach that reflects the project’s ambitions.

Disruption for motorists remains limited thanks to the Bypass, of which the first section towards the Netherlands opened on 25 October 2025. This temporary motorway keeps traffic on the main route and away from residential areas while works progresses. It is the largest accessibility initiative within the Oosterweel Link.

At the same time, a new, narrower section of Bypass towards Ghent will be constructed. From 2027, all traffic between Antwerp-East and Antwerp-North will use this Bypass, paving the way for the viaduct’s complete removal.

Taking down the viaduct is more than a technical feat: it signals the start of a city reconnected. Where the viaduct long stood as a barrier, new space emerges for greenery, quality of life and links between neighbourhoods.

These works form part of the largest sub-project of the Oosterweel Link, realised by TM ROCO, a consortium of BESIX, BESIX Infra, Jan De Nul, Cordeel, DEME, DENYS, Van Laere, Franki Construct and Willemen Infra. In addition to the Bypass and the sunken Ring Road, TM ROCO is also building the Canal Tunnels.

BESIX is also contributing to the Scheldt Tunnel as part of THV COTU. BESIX Unitec oversees the tunnel technical installations for the entire Oosterweel link.