Grimbergen canal bridge to reopen in May after crash damage repairs

A damaged bridge spanning the Brussels-Willebroek canal in Humbeek (Grimbergen) will not reopen until May, Flemish Waterways has confirmed.

A cargo ship crashed into the bridge a month ago, causing what was described at the time as "immense" damage.

Futher structural checks have found the damage to the concrete structure itself to be "superficial", RTBF reports.

The Humbeek bridge is used by local traffic to get to and from the E19 and the A12. The nearest alternative crossing is 4km away.

Since the crash on 13 January, a free ferry service has transported 5,000 pedestrians and cyclists from one side of the canal to the other.