Temse Bridge by Gustave Eiffel 1870

The 1955 bridge caused a lot of traffic jams, a problem that has largely been solved since 2009 by building a second bridge parallel to it. However, the current bridge complex remains a busy traffic junction, and the bridge largely determines the skyline of the Scheldt municipality of Temse.
As a cyclist you can safely cross the bridge or cross the N16 under the bridge.

This is a bridge with a history. This bridge also connects the provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders.
Historical interpretation:
The first Scheldt bridge in Temse was designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel. This 343 meter long bridge was inaugurated on November 30, 1870. It was part of railway line 54 over the Scheldt from Mechelen to Terneuzen. In addition to the railway connection, the bridge was also a toll bridge with a passage for animals and pedestrians.
The bridge suffered serious damage during the First World War but was restored. During the Second World War, the bridge was blown up in 1940 by French and Belgian engineers for tactical reasons. A ferry was set up again until 1955.
The bridge was completed in 1955 and is 365 meters long. This made it the longest Belgian bridge over water until the construction of the new bridge.
Work on the current "old" bridge started on June 2, 1949. The bridge was completed in 1955 and is 365 meters long. This made it the longest Belgian bridge over water until the construction of the new bridge
This bridge provided space for the rail connection, a two-lane regional road and pedestrian and cycle paths

From here you have a beautiful view of Temse on the left bank