The Peace Bridge or Bridge of Willebroek is an industrial lifting bridge with a remarkable metal structure over the Brussels - Scheldt Sea Canal.
For inland vessels the bridge deck is raised by 9 m, for seagoing vessels the bridge deck can be raised up to 35 m. Because the bridge is so low above the water, the bridge has to be opened for each ship and this happens several times a day. Before the construction in 1985-1986 of the Koning Boudewijnlaan (N16) with the accompanying Ring Bridge over the canal, all traffic between Mechelen on the one hand and Dendermonde and Sint-Niklaas on the other, had to follow the N183 through the center of Willebroek and over the Vredesbrug. As a result, lifting the bridge several times a day gave rise to many delays and sighs among motorists. Hence the local name: The Bridge of Sighs[3], a nod to the bridge of the same name in Venice.

The name Peace Bridge comes from the fact that the 11th Armored Division of the British Army followed the canal along here in 1944 on its way to the liberation of Antwerp. More info on the attached link.
Source: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vredesbrug_(Willebroek)

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

October 13, 2022

The Peace Bridge or Bridge of Willebroek over the Brussels-Scheldt Sea Canal is an industrial lifting bridge with a remarkable metal structure. The iron bridge, also called Bridge of Sighs or Monster of Iron and Steel, was sung by Wannes Van de Velde in his song 'De brug van Willebroek'. This eye-catcher is therefore a real Willebroek icon.

Source: visitwillebroek.be/erfgoed/vredesbrug

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

October 13, 2022

Fragment lyrics: Wannes Van De Velde - The bridge of Willebroek

I stood before the bridge of Willebroek,
I was blocked at the channel.
I stood before the bridge of Willebroek,
sample of iron and steel.
I saw hundreds of ships pass by,
auf Wiedersehen, how do you do?
I wasn't at that rendezvous,
Because the bridge of Willebroek was ready.

And must I leave forever,
is it done with the beauties.
Then I won't let my life stretch,
I'm getting ready to go.
And should I arrive late,
in hotel "Our Lord".
Then I know how to apologize
I say to Holy Pier:

I stood before the bridge of Willebroek,
I was blocked at the channel.
I stood before the bridge of Willebroek,
sample of iron and steel.
I saw hundreds of ships pass by,
auf Wiedersehen, how do you do?
I wasn't at that rendezvous,
Because the bridge of Willebroek was ready.

Source: muzikum.eu/nl/wannes-van-de-velde/de-brug-van-willebroek-songtekst

Translated by Google •

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Location: Willebroek, Mechelen, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

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