Flyover of Merksem, Elevated highway viaduct in Merksem, Belgium

The Viaduct of Merksem is a 1970 elevated motorway viaduct on Antwerp's R1 ring road, running between exit 1 (N129) and exit 2 (N120 and N129). It carries four lanes in each direction and spans the Albert Canal, the link between the Albert Canal and the Nieuw Lobroekdok, the N1 and the N129. Blue overhead signs on grey steel gantries mark the route, and the AFAS Dome stands directly beside it.

The structure opened in 1970 as a key component of Antwerp's ring road network designed to improve traffic flow around the city. It became an essential piece of infrastructure linking the region's transportation network.

The name "Viaduct van Merksem" was also used before the Antwerp ring was built for today's Gabriël Theunisbrug by the Sportpaleis, so the two bridges can be confused. The AFAS Dome, the former Sportpaleis, stands directly beside the viaduct.

The flyover carries heavy daily traffic and allows quick passage over the canal for cars, trucks, and buses. It remains open around the clock, though drivers should expect delays during peak commuting hours.

Before the Antwerp ring road existed, the name "Viaduct van Merksem" referred to today's Gabriël Theunisbrug near the Sportpaleis. Demolition of the current viaduct began on 18 November 2025, after the first section of the new bypass toward the Netherlands opened on 25 October 2025; the structure should be gone by 2027.