The ecorecreaduct ‘De Priorij’ fits within the bigger project to improve ecology, livability and accessibility in the eastern part of ring road around Brussels.
The Flemish Government’s Agency for Nature and Forest aims to develop Groenendaal into a key gateway where people start and finish their visits to the Zoniënwoud. The ‘Bosmuseum’ is already connected to the train station but the bridge is too narrow for the volume of users. Nearby, additional projects are under way along the R0 East, such as a cycling tunnel, the F205 cycling highway, the new car park for the train station and the greening of the area around the station, all of which increase pressure on the existing bridge.
Thanks to the building of the ecorecreaduct, the Zoniënwoud can continue to evolve ecologically, recreationally and culturally without any barrier. Continuity and integration are at the heart of the design, benefiting both human and animal users as well as the traffic passing underneath. The structure blends seamlessly with its surroundings, employing natural‑looking materials such as timber, weather‑resistant steel and stone. As a result, crossing the bridge feels less like traversing the R0 and more like enjoying a pleasant stroll through nature.
