The Kanne Suspension Bridge was constructed as part of the Albert Canal expansion project, replacing an aging bridge with a modern self-anchored suspension structure. Designed to provide the required clearance for commercial shipping while maintaining a low-profile approach, the bridge also served as a pioneering application of Freyssinet’s Cohestrand® technology. The project demonstrated an innovative approach to bridge durability, construction efficiency, and long-term corrosion protection, helping establish a new benchmark for suspension bridge cable systems.

 

  • Owner
    Ministry of the Flemish Community Department of Environment and Infrastructure Meuse and Albert Canal Division
  • Client
    Victor Buyck Steel Construction
  • Completion Date
    2005
  • General Contractor
    THV Herbosch-Kiere Antwerpse Bouwwerken - Louis Duchêne
  • Consulting Engineer
    IV-INFRA
  • Technical Inspection
    Seco

A Unique Design Solution

Kanne suspension bridge Belgium

The widening of the Albert Canal, one of Belgium’s most important commercial waterways connecting Antwerp and Liège, required the replacement of an existing bowstring bridge near the town of Kanne. The new crossing was designed as a modern self-anchored suspension bridge capable of accommodating increased shipping traffic while meeting stringent clearance requirements.

Suspension bridges are typically reserved for much longer spans, making this design choice unusual for a bridge of this size. However, the solution offered two key advantages: an attractive architectural appearance and a shallow deck profile that provided the necessary vessel clearance without requiring long elevated approach ramps.

The bridge was the first suspension bridge of its kind built in Belgium since the 1960s. Because of this, the owner placed significant emphasis on the long-term performance and durability of the main suspension cables. The goal was to achieve a service life equal to or greater than that of conventional cable-supported bridge systems.

Advancing Cable Technology

Traditionally, short-span suspension bridges utilize locked-coil strand cables. Freyssinet proposed an alternative solution using its patented Cohestrand® technology.

The design of Cohestrand® allows its multiple corrosion protection layers to remain fully intact, even at hanger connection points where suspension collars are installed. This feature helps preserve the cable’s long-term durability and reduces the risk of corrosion-related deterioration over time.

Kanne suspension bridge using Cohestrand

A Full-Scale First

Kanne suspension bridge cohestrand

While Cohestrand® had previously been installed on a pedestrian suspension bridge in France, the Kanne Suspension Bridge marked the first full-scale application of the technology as the primary load-bearing cable system for a highway bridge.

Each of the two main suspension cables was composed of a bundle of 75 individual strands and anchored at the tops of the bridge’s towers, which rise approximately 82 feet (25 meters) above the deck. To accommodate the bridge’s hangers, Freyssinet also developed a specialized collar system that securely connected the hangers to the main cables while maintaining the integrity of the corrosion protection system.

Designed for Long-Term Durability

Cohestrand® incorporates a three-layer corrosion protection system designed to maximize service life:

  • Galvanized steel wires for primary corrosion resistance
  • An injected adhesive polymer that fills and protects the voids between wires
  • A bonded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) outer sheath that provides an additional protective barrier

Together, these layers provide exceptional protection against environmental exposure and were designed to support a service life of up to 100 years. Full-scale testing performed on a section of the main cable confirmed that the custom suspension collars exceeded the project’s required slip-resistance performance criteria.

 

Innovative Construction Methodology

The bridge’s construction process was nearly as innovative as its cable technology.

Rather than installing the main cables at elevation, the bridge deck was first assembled on temporary supports. The main cable system was then fully assembled at ground level, with all suspension collars installed before the completed cable was lifted into position.

This approach was possible because the bridge’s back spans were not suspended, allowing the main cables to extend only between the two towers. To balance the forces generated by the suspended main span, pairs of stay cables were installed in the back spans.

Once the main cables were secured, prefabricated hangers were connected to the collars and tensioned at their deck anchorages, completing the suspension system and finalizing the bridge structure.

Kanne suspension bridge

The innovative approach for this project was made possible because the bridge owner, the consultant and the technical checking expert all showed a keen appetite for the proposed technology. There was very constructive communication between Freyssinet and other stakeholders to specify, test and check the compliance of these innovative suspension cables. Successful execution of this project would not have been possible without the close and fruitful collaboration between the design team and the site team

Bart DEGREEF  
Managing director, Freyssinet Belgium

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