On Tuesday evening, the Suzan Daniel Bridge on the Brussels Quai des Péniches – an important link between Tour & Taxis and the North Station – was officially opened, which should encourage sustainable mobility in the city and connect the two neighbourhoods.
From now on, pedestrians, cyclists and commuters will be able to cross the canal via a shorter route as the bridge will provide a direct link between the North Station and the Tour & Taxis site.
"A bridge between people, a bridge between city districts. A bridge named after an inspiring activist. Today is a great day for Brussels," said Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt on Twitter.
To ensure the safety of all users, the bridge was split into two completely separate sections: a 6-metre-wide bicycle and pedestrian zone and a 7-metre-wide carriageway for public transport. Except for taxis, cars are not allowed on the bridge.
People with limited mobility are also taken into account, as the bridge's slope remains limited to less than 4% across the entire span.
A new tram line will cross the bridge, running past Tour & Taxis over the Rue Picard (where the Gare Maritime is located) and going via the Suzan Daniel Bridge and the Boulevard Simon Bolivar to the North Station, before moving into the inner ring road and reaching Central Station via the Boulevard Pacheco along the Brabant neighbourhood.
Works for this connection are set to start at the end of next year.
"We did it! After 14 years of pulling and tugging, we made the Suzan Daniel Bridge happen," said Brussels State Secretary for Urbanism Pascal Smet. "And now it is open for use. For you, the people of Brussels!"
The bridge's name was decided after a call for public suggestions before the works started. The eventual winner was Suzan Daniel, a pseudonym for the Brussels native Suzanne de Pues, who was at the cradle of the Belgian LGBT movement in 1953.
