Sarens is supporting the construction of the new Ringvaartbrug on the R4 in Ghent, a key element of the R4WO KWN02 project designed to improve mobility and ease traffic flow across the Ringvaart canal. The bridge will play an important role in strengthening local connectivity, and Sarens was entrusted with the specialised lifting and transport operations required to assemble its major structural components.

The works took place in a complex environment, with limited space, active railway lines, underground utilities, and several anchor points spread across the site. These constraints required careful planning and precisely engineered lifting configurations. After Sarens delivered the bridge elements to the project area by pontoon and SPMT, out Belgium business unit brought in the necessary cranes and support equipment to carry out the assembly in two phases.

An AC700 and an LTM1650-8.1 with guided boom were used to lift the 229-ton bow top and two bow sections. Once the guided boom was removed, both cranes performed the lift of the 364-ton main beam, measuring 107,5 metres in length. In the second phase, the final two bow legs were installed using an AC700 and an AC500. All equipment was selected to handle the weight and dimensions of the components while also meeting the strict safety requirements dictated by ground conditions, proximity to infrastructure, and the geometry of the site. Despite weather considerations and space limitations, the operations were completed efficiently: about one week for the first phase and three days for the second. Sarens will return in 2026 to position the bridge in its final location using SPMTs and pontoons.

The Ringvaartbrug project is being delivered at a moment when Belgium’s civil engineering sector continues to expand. Public investment in transport, electrical infrastructure, and renewable energy is supporting steady growth, and the increased demand for specialised heavy lifting and engineered transport solutions highlights the essential role of companies like Sarens in enabling these works. As large-scale infrastructure projects gather momentum across the country, the ability to manage complex lifts safely and with precision becomes increasingly important.

For Sarens, the Ringvaartbrug is part of a broader commitment to delivering technically demanding bridge projects. In recent years, the company has assisted with installations across Belgium and Europe—from pedestrian and cycle bridges in Brussels and Hazebrouck, to major structures such as the Colbert Bridge in Dieppe, the 5.850-ton OA14 bridge in Bettembourg, and the 8.400-ton railway bridge on the A1 motorway in Amsterdam. Each of these projects, including the Ringvaartbrug, reflects Sarens’ expertise in supporting infrastructure that strengthens mobility, connects communities, and contributes to long-term regional development.