Interactive Map Reveals Dozens of Severely Deteriorated Bridges Across Wallonia
An unprecedented interactive map published by RTBF on July 9, 2026, has revealed the alarming condition of dozens of bridges across Wallonia, the French-speaking southern region of Belgium. The investigation, produced by RTBF’s #Investigation unit in collaboration with IHECS journalism students, identifies approximately 39 bridges classified in “Health Group A” — the worst possible rating — meaning they present very significant defects impacting their load-bearing structures.
The Scale of the Problem
Wallonia manages over 6,000 engineering structures including bridges, tunnels, and viaducts. While less than 1% fall into the most critical category, the revelation has sparked urgent questions about infrastructure maintenance and public safety. The map is based on an internal document from November 2025 obtained by RTBF, after the SPW (Service Public de Wallonie) refused to provide an updated list when formally requested on June 26, 2026.
In a parliamentary response dated June 23, 2026, Walloon Infrastructure Minister Francois Desquesnes (Les Engages) confirmed that the number of Group A bridges had decreased to 39, down from 41 on the original list.
A Controversial Maintenance Strategy
Perhaps the most striking finding of the investigation is Wallonia’s deliberate shift away from prioritizing its worst bridges. The SPW has adopted a strategy of focusing on mid-level bridges (Group C) to prevent them from deteriorating further, rather than fixing the most critical structures first.
As L’Avenir reported in January 2024, a Swiss audit had already warned that without increased investment, 20% of Walloon bridges would be in a dangerous state by 2050. The accumulated “patrimonial debt” was estimated at 705 million euros.
“The scenario we chose is to maintain the overall condition of the network constant,” Pierre Gilles, Inspector General at SPW Mobility and Infrastructure, told RTBF. “I’m not going to work on this bridge I know is in bad shape and for which the mayor calls me regularly. I’m going to repair another bridge, because if I don’t do it now, it too will become in bad condition and I won’t be able to catch up.”
This strategy is reflected in the investment plan: of the 400 million euros allocated over five years for bridge repairs, nearly 70% goes to Group C bridges, while only about 25% is directed to the most critical Groups A and B.
Case Studies Reveal Systemic Failures
The investigation highlights specific examples where the system has failed. The Charleroi Ring Road (R9), Zone IX, carries approximately 47,000 vehicles daily and shows severe concrete spalling, exposed rebar, water infiltration, and visible corrosion. The Sofico, the public company managing Walloon motorways, acknowledges it needs major renovation or reconstruction but has set no timeline.
Independent expert Damien Champenoy, a civil engineer and professor at the Universite de Lorraine, warned: “This bridge can fall. Not tomorrow, we shouldn’t be alarmist. But if we let the situation rot for another ten or fifteen years, no one will be able to guarantee anything anymore.”
Even more troubling is the case of the Pont de l’Hermeton in Philippeville. Inspected in October 2017 and classified as Group C, repair work was approved in March 2021 with an explicit instruction: “Do not delay repairs.” Yet as of July 2026 — over eight years after inspection — no work has been carried out. The only change is that certain heavy transport vehicles are now banned from crossing.
Champenoy called this “damaging,” adding: “It shows that the rules aren’t being followed and that the system isn’t credible.”
The Transparency Debate
The investigation has reignited a political battle over transparency. Minister Desquesnes has refused to publish the list of critical bridges, citing risks of sabotage or terrorist attacks. However, opposition parties have strongly contested this position.
“The first thing demanded is transparency,” said Germain Mugemangango, PTB parliamentary group leader, as reported by the PTB. “When we say there are bridges in a worrying state, citizens should be able to know where they are.”
Notably, former Minister Philippe Henry (Ecolo) did publish a list of fragile bridges in 2023 on the Walloon Parliament website without incident. The March 2025 fatal bridge collapse on the E42 at Houdeng-Goegnies, which killed one worker as DH Les Sports+ reported, has only intensified scrutiny of the government’s approach.
What’s Next
The RTBF investigation puts significant pressure on Minister Desquesnes and the Walloon government. With an interactive map now in public hands, the debate over transparency may be moot — citizens can already see where critical bridges are located. The key questions that remain are whether the government will accelerate repairs, whether the 400 million euro investment is sufficient, and whether the “gray debt” strategy will be reconsidered in light of evidence that even approved repairs are not being carried out in a timely manner.
For the thousands of Walloon residents who cross these structures daily, the investigation serves as an urgent reminder that infrastructure maintenance cannot be postponed indefinitely without consequences.