The Rogier tunnel, a key traffic artery in the north of Brussels, has still not reopened after a car caught fire near the tunnel exit on Monday. The closure has led to major traffic delays in the area. It is unclear for how much longer it will remain closed.
The tunnel located next to Botanique has been closed in both directions since Monday after a car caught fire at the Yser exit of the Rogier tunnel, in the direction of Basilique. The fire was extinguished around 12:30 but the tunnel has still not reopened, the region's Mobility Agency Brussels Mobility confirmed to The Brussels Times.
"We won't open the tunnel until we have carried out all the necessary checks," said Steven Fierens, spokesperson for Brussels Mobility. The tunnel's electrical infrastructure, especially the ventilation systems, was affected.
The burnt-out vehicle. Credit: Brussels Fire Brigade
"We have to check all the systems, from ventilation to the camera and security systems, to make sure that the tunnel fulfils the minimum operating conditions," Fierens explained. "We must then test that everything is working; only then can we open the tunnel to traffic again."
Fierens was unable to say when the issues might be resolved. The continued closure resulted in significant traffic delays on Monday evening. The temporary closure of the Yser entrance of the Annie Cordy Tunnel towards Basilique added to the issues, but it has since been reopened. Brussels Mobility will confirm when the tunnel reopens on its social media.
