Sarens recently completed a key phase in a major infrastructure project in Hasselt, Belgium, involving the placement of a 240-tonne cycling and pedestrian bridge over the city’s busy ring road. This operation marked the third stage in a four-phase project and brought together complex engineering, expert planning, and flawless execution by the Sarens Belgium team.

The bridge was first transported to the quay using two sets of SPMTs fitted with turntables. There, it was transferred onto a barge with the help of an LTM 1650-8.1 and a Sarens AC700, configured as a 500-tonne crane due to scheduling constraints.

Once the bridge arrived in Hasselt by water, the Sarens team mobilised quickly. Cranes were set up along the quay and SPMTs prepared for the next stage. A three-crane tandem lift was then used to carefully unload the bridge from the barge. The LTM 1500-8.1 and an AC700 first lifted one side of the bridge together, using a triangle to bring it closer. When the first AC700 was able to bear the 145-tonne load alone, the 500-tonne crane was unhooked, and the bridge was gently slewed between the two remaining cranes. At the opposite end of the structure, a second AC700 helped guide the bridge into final position onto the SPMTs.

The final move took place during the early hours of a Sunday morning. At precisely 2:00 a.m., the team rolled the cranes, trucks, and bridge to position. At sunrise, the team lifted the bridge above the ring road. By midday, the cranes had been demobilised and the bridge was securely positioned—marking the successful completion of a highly coordinated, high-stakes operation.

Local media widely covered the event. The installation was featured on TVL News, VRT NWS, and a LinkedIn update, celebrating the engineering behind the scenes.

Now in place, the new bridge will serve as a vital link for cyclists and pedestrians in Hasselt. Residents across Limburg are invited to vote on a name for this new addition to the city's sustainable transport network, set to become a familiar landmark for years to come.