On December 7, 2011, the EEIG (European Economic Interest Grouping) Iv-Infra – TUC RAIL organised fort the tenth time a “kunstwerken diamiddag” in Utrecht. At this annual event, the EEIG wants to give authorities, engineering companies and contractors from the Netherlands and surrounding areas the opportunity to promote interesting projects and structures. The event was given the subtitle “See and show”.

TUC RAIL was represented and gave a presentation on how existing structures can be upgraded and expanded in a new railway infrastructure. Two specific examples were explained, namely the three bridges of the Machelen interchange and the Pede Viaduct. Other speakers from the world of industry and engineering also presented interesting topics that might spark new ideas for our designers.

The three bridges of the Machelen interchange were originally road bridges, dating from the construction of the Brussels ring road, which never became operational. They appeared on the list of useless works. TUC RAIL transformed them into railway bridges to be integrated into the Diabolo project. Now these bridges finally serve a useful purpose.

The Pede Viaduct was built in 1933 during the construction of the direct railway line between Brussels-Midi and Gent-Sint-Pieters. As part of the construction of a third and fourth track between Brussels and Denderleeuw, the viaduct had to be broadened to make room for two additional tracks.