Verapazbrug, Bridge construction site in Ghent, Belgium
Verapazbrug is a bridge spanning the Handelsdok in Ghent that connects two main roads as part of the ring road network. The structure accommodates both vehicle traffic and separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
The name comes from a 19th-century Belgian emigration movement when settlers from Ghent established a community in Guatemala. The bridge site was chosen as a symbolic reference to this historical chapter.
The location connects to stories of people leaving to build new lives elsewhere, reflected in local names and memories that persist in the neighborhood. This link to migration journeys shapes how residents and visitors understand the area today.
Construction should be finished by 2025, after which the bridge will help reduce traffic congestion in nearby districts. Pedestrians and cyclists should use the dedicated paths to stay clear of vehicle traffic.
A refugee reception center named Verapaz stands near the construction site, creating a direct link between historical and present-day migration stories. This coincidence shows how the past continues to resonate in the area.
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