The 'Parkbos Bridges' project relates to the two planned cycle and pedestrian bridges which will cross the E40 and the Ringvaart canal/R4 ring-road. The bridges will form a necessary link in the creation of a slow-traffic connection for the Groenpool Parkbos project. This traffic axis is on the old Ghent – De Pinte railway line. The pedestrian and cycle route will provide the inhabitants of the Ghent urban area with safe and direct access to the Parkbos. The bridges will be an elongation of DePintelaan – Leebeekstraat – Oude Spoorweg and will be used for both functional and recreational purposes.

In the construction phase, the planned cycle bridges will fit in with the Groenpool Parkbos project. An agreement was drawn up between the various parties, and the Parkbos steering committee is chaired by the provincial governor, André Denys. This agreement was signed on 21st March 2009 by the following partners:
The Flemish Region, represented by the Flemish Government (Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Mrs. Hilde Crevits) / the Governor of the Province of East Flanders, Mr. André Denys / Waterwegen en Zeekanaal NV (W&Z) / the Province of East Flanders / the City of Ghent / De Pinte District Council / Sint-Martens-Latem District Council.

The City of Ghent is acting as pilot for the tendering of the design brief and construction work. W&Z and the Flemish Department for Roads and Traffic will provide the necessary technical support in this regard.

PROJECT FRAMEWORK -  PARKBOS CYCLE BRIDGES

Access and traffic-related qualities
• For cyclists and pedestrians coming from Ghent, the future green site is currently somewhat isolated and can only be reached via the larger approach roads, namely the N43 and N60. An attractive and safe connection to the urban area is required for the optimal functioning of the green site.
• The slow-traffic axis which is to be built on the old railway bedding forms the 'main route' in the Parkbos area to which all paths are connected. It forms as it were the backbone of the Parkbos green site.
• The recreational use and success of the Parkbos will also be very much dependent on the presence of an easy, attractive and safe route in and out of the area.
• The cycle bridges will be an important link to the Parkbos green site as a component of the Ghent metropolitan area.

Architectural and spatial qualities:
• the design of the bridges and the layout of the area around them must take into account the natural and man-made values present and provide an added aesthetic value for the surrounding area.
• The creation of the two bridges is not two separate items, but must instead be viewed from a global perspective. A well thought-out concept must be developed for the combination of both bridges and the intervening connecting elements. The 2 bridges form a unity but include the necessary variation in form.
• 4 entrances are foreseen within the Parkbos where the necessary reception infrastructure will be developed for the site. The entrances will function as a reception space for the recreational users and visitors to the green site. For the city of Ghent, the most important gateway to the Parkbos is the northern entrance, linked to the Maalte Park (a protected site). According to the Regional Spatial Implementation Plan (RUP), this entrance serves as a beacon or landmark at the national level. By the suitable exploitation of its location along the E40 and R4, the presence of the green site can be made apparent to a great many passers-by.

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