The Gellik railway bridge is a four-span bridge dating from the 1930s, which has been unused for 30 years now. While awaiting restoration, it is a delight for amateur photographers who love vanishing lines and abandoned places. The bridge is part of the Hasselt-Maastricht railway line 20.
Galerie photos
EvilFreD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
History of the bridge
The bridge was built during the construction of the Albert Canal in the 1930s. It was designed by S.A. La Brugeoise et Nicaise & Delcuve in 1937. In May 1940, the central span was blown up by Belgian troops. After the war, the aforementioned company restored the bridge. With a span of 112.75 meters, it is the longest four-span bridge in Belgium. Although the bridge has only one lane, the piers are designed to accommodate a double lane.
Since the line was closed in 1992, the bridge has not been in use. The bridge was to be demolished due to the widening of the canal, but it was saved from destruction by paper manufacturer Sappi, which hoped to use the line for freight transport in the future.
Future of the bridge
As part of the Spartacus plan to improve public transport in the province of Limburg, the Flemish government and the Flemish transport company De Lijn also want to reestablish the Maastricht-Lanaken-Diepenbeek-Hasselt connection for passenger transport by express tram (light rail). The Spartacus plan includes the renovation of the bridge.
