Sarens is supporting improved mobility in Ghent through its participation in the Ringvaartbrug R4WO KWN02 project, which includes the construction of a new bridge over the Ringvaart canal. The bridge will ease traffic flow along the R4 ring road and strengthen the region’s transport network.
Sarens Belgium and Sarens NV jointly executed the heavy lifting and engineered transport operations required on site. Structural components were delivered by pontoon and SPMT, with multiple crane configurations deployed according to each project phase. In the first stage, an AC700 and LTM1650-8.1 lifted the 229-ton bow top and the 364-ton, 107.5-meter-long main beam. The second stage involved installing the final two legs using an AC700 and AC500. Despite limited space, underground utilities, and railway constraints, all lifts were executed safely and within schedule. Phase 1 took one week, and phase 2 was completed in three days. Sarens will return in 2026 to position the completed bridge using SPMTs and pontoons.
Beyond technical achievements, the project supports regional development by improving local mobility, reducing travel times, and creating employment opportunities during construction.
This initiative aligns with continued investment in Belgian civil engineering, which has seen a 20% rise in recent years, driven by national and EU recovery programs.
“Projects like this demonstrate our expertise in complex engineered lifting while contributing to social and economic progress,” said Bart Minnen, Country Manager at Sarens Belgium.
