In the summer, Brussels Mobility begins maintenance and renovation work in the Brussels-Capital Region. This will result in the (almost) complete closure of several tunnels.
Road traffic in Brussels is likely to be disrupted throughout the summer. The regional public service, Brussels Mobility, is planning to close several tunnels in the Region in order to carry out maintenance and renovation work. The goal is to ensure the safety and fluidity of traffic in this fast-moving region.
The reason the work is being carried out during the school holidays is that traffic levels fall significantly during this period. In summer, Brussels Mobility has up to a fifth fewer cars (or 20% fewer than the rest of the year). As a result, the impact of these closures on daily traffic is minimised. As a result, motorists and commuters will not be inconvenienced by the works. But in concrete terms, when and which tunnels will close?
Which tunnels are affected?
Between 15 July and 23 August, the regional public service will be removing asbestos from the Delta tunnel. This will result in its complete closure. Vehicles will have to take a diversion route via the chaussée de Wavre (which crosses the communes of Ixelles, Etterbeek and Auderghem), the avenue de la Forêt (between Ixelles and the City of Brussels) and the avenue des Invalides (Auderghem).
The Beaulieu bridge (over the E411 and the Delta tunnel) will also be closed until 31 August, although work began on 17 June.
The Tervuren tunnel will also be undergoing maintenance work from 1 July. The road to the city centre will be closed until 5 August.
Finally, the Woluwe tunnel will also be closed from 15 to 19 July, and the Reyers tunnel from 22 July to 31 August.
Other works on the avenues
Alongside the work on the tunnels, Brussels Mobility is renovating several of the Region's major arteries. The aim is to improve not only traffic flow, but also the safety and comfort of vulnerable road users. These renovations include:
- The transformation of the Avenue des Croix de Feu in the north of Brussels;
- The redevelopment of Sainctelette in the Brussels canal zone;
- The creation of a two-way cycle path between the Avenue Léopold III and the Chaussée de Haecht.
From BECI's point of view: mobility in Brussels
‘In Brussels, there is also a need to completely overhaul the implementation of mobility plans and to rethink accessibility and connectivity’, BECI points out, having made mobility one of the fundamental axes in its memorandum. The Brussels Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Enterprises in Brussels insist on sustainable mobility for all.
They therefore advocate multimodal mobility (walking, use of two-wheeled vehicles, public transport). This will undoubtedly reduce dependence on the private car and probably create more convivial and sustainable neighbourhoods.
‘However, there can be no question of threatening the entrepreneurial climate and job creation with prohibitive measures,’ BECI maintains. In the run-up to a new political government, it is also calling on decision-makers to take account of ‘regular and accurate monitoring, not only of traffic flows in the region, but also of traffic entering and leaving the capital’.
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Whatever regional government comes to power, BECI will continue to defend the interests of entrepreneurs and the self-employed. In order to live, work and do business in a dynamic region, BECI is asking the next government to strengthen three priorities. Discover them here. |
Summary
Delta Tunnel: closed from 15 July to 23 August;
Beaulieu bridge: closed until the end of the summer;
Tervuren tunnel: works start on 1 July and finish on 5 August (but will not be completely closed);
Woluwe tunnel: closed from 15 to 19 July;
Reyers tunnel: closed from 22 July to 31 August.