One carriageway to the south of the capital, notorious for its poor road layout making it difficult for traffic to pass through smoothly, will soon be redeveloped.
Brussels public transport operator STIB and Brussels Mobility have submitted an application for planning permission to redevelop a nearly one-kilometre stretch of the Neerstalle carriageway, which runs from Parc Hafid down to the Stalle tram junction, to replace the worn-out tram tracks.
Both organisations are taking this opportunity to propose a number of changes, including improving the trams' travelling speed (which is problematic on this stretch of road), reducing traffic on local roads and making the public space more pleasant for vulnerable road users on the stretch of road between the Ruisbroek and Stalle intersections.
"These works will eliminate one of the biggest bottlenecks on the STIB tram network in terms of travel time," said Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Elke Van den Brandt. On this part of the carriageway, the trams run against the direction of travel, which adds to the tram's journey time.
The redevelopment will also make the stops accessible to people with reduced mobility, as well as provide wider pavements, safer pedestrian crossings, a greener area with trees and better soil permeability to reduce flooding in this valley.
The project involves a complete redevelopment with one-way traffic on part of the carriageway, from Rue des Polders heading north towards Chaussée de Ruisbroek. This one-way operation, which will still allow cyclists to use the road in both directions, will create a dedicated half-site for trams heading south.
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The application will shortly be put to a public enquiry, and Brussels Mobility hopes to obtain planning permission by the end of 2023 and start work by the end of 2024.
This redevelopment is being carried out in conjunction with other projects such as the works currently underway on the Neerstalle carriageway between Rue André Baillon and Chaussée de Ruisbroek (Forest), where works should be completed by mid-2023; and the renewal of the tram tracks on Rue de l'Étoile between Rue de Stalle and Rue Joseph Rodts, which is scheduled for 2024-2025.
