Roadworks for nature
Lommel and Oudsbergen, Belgium
Did you know that in Belgium, a wild animal encounters a road on its route every 300 meters, on average? Not surprising, as Belgium has the second densest road network in Europe, after Malta. Add to that its high population density, the typical ribbon development and a complex network of rail and waterways, and it is clear why a lot of habitat for fauna and flora was lost or has been divided in ever-shrinking, isolated pieces. On top of that, about five million animals die on Flemish roads every year.
Connecting habitats
To protect our wildlife, we must make sure that their habitats are connected once again. This process, called defragmentation, provides the wild species with more living space. This enables them to move freely and to have easier access to food and shelter, while also reducing the chance of traffic accidents. All this can help to increase biodiversity and improve the health of ecosystems. Moreover, by creating a network of connected habitats, species can easier adapt to climate change and other environmental pressures.
Defragmentation measures include
Ecoducts
Eco-valleys
Amphibian tunnels
Tree bridges
Fish ladders
Hop-overs
Flanders is ready to give space back to nature
To stimulate the defragmentation process, the Flemish government launched a multi-year program in 2020: the Flemish Action Program of Ecological Defragmentation (VAPEO). In its defragmentation database, the VAPEO compiles all known bottlenecks along regional roads and highways. Until end of 2024, 15 of those bottlenecks will be prioritised. Amongst them, two regional roads in Limburg, near Lommel and Oudsbergen, where we are building two defragmentation constructions. For their design, we collaborated with consultancy office Sweco Belgium.
Building an ecoduct in Lommel...
In Lommel, we are reconnecting nature on both sides of the regional N71 road by building an ecoduct. The ecoduct ‘Waaltjesbos’ is an integral bridge construction of 60 metres wide, spanning across the road. The ecoduct will be equipped with a wet zone, a dry zone and a transition zone. This is ecologically the best way to ensure that as many species as possible can and will use it. The top of the bridge deck and the slopes leading up to it, are furnished ecologically, so the right habitat is created for the desired species. While the target species are small such as snakes, frogs and grasshoppers, the crossing will also be used by larger species such as wolves, wild boars, deer and foxes.
At the end of 2023 Flemish ministers of mobility and public works Lydia Peeters and of environment Zuhal Demir together put the shovel in the ground for the 'Waaltjesbos ecoduct’.
... and an eco-valley in Oudsbergen
Exactly two months after both ministers gave the go-ahead for the construction of the Waaltjesbos ecoduct in Lommel, in early February 2024 they also jointly put the shovel into the ground for the eco-valley in Oudsbergen.
The 65-metre-wide eco-valley should reconnect nature on both sides of the N76 road. The road will be placed on pillars, allowing the landscape to pass under it. The eco-grids placed along the road in 2021 will connect to the eco-valley on both sides. Thus, animals will find their way safely to the crossing point. Last but not least, the slopes of the valley face south. This creates a warm microclimate, which is ideal for local flora and fauna.
We are responsible for the design, licensing and construction of the eco-passages and are assisted by engineering firm Sweco. The works will last about a year and a half. In the summer of 2025, we will be able to hand over the eco-valley to nature.
