A permit has been issued for the redevelopment of one of the major axes running through the Belgian capital. The focus of the work will be the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
Boulevard Lambermont is a busy major artery located in the municipality of Schaerbeek. It runs alongside Parc Josaphat before heading North to the Docks shopping centre next to the canal.
Since 2020, temporary cycle lanes covered some of the road, resulting in a substantial increase in the number of cyclists on the axis. But to encourage more cyclists and pedestrians to travel on this road, improvements are needed.
Urban.brussels issued the planning permit for its redevelopment and that of Boulevard Général Wahis (to the south of Parc Josaphat, connecting it with Place Meiser, which will also be redesigned).
The project was submitted by Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt and Brussels Mobility. The redevelopment is estimated to cost more than €13 million, which will be largely financed by the Beliris Fund and Brussels Mobility.
"The reconstruction will provide permanent cycle lanes, increased road safety and the greening of the public space," Van den Brandt said. "These wide avenues will also become safer and more comfortable for pedestrians. We continue to change Brussels, street by street, neighbourhood by neighbourhood." The works are expected to start in 2025.
Separating traffic
The conditions for pedestrians and cyclists will be improved along the entire length of Boulevard Lambermont and on Boulevard Général Wahis up to the level of Boulevard Leopold III. Between this street and the northernmost point before Schaerbeek Station, the number of lanes for car traffic will be reduced to two.
This will free up space for a side lane with a wider pavement, a two-way cycle path or cycling street, separated in most parts, parking spaces and a green verge separating this side lane from the main carriageway. The reconstruction also includes the creation of 118 bicycle parking spaces and 16 drop zones for shared vehicles, one every 200 metres.
Map of the area where the work will take place. Credit: Brussels Mobility
To discourage through traffic and make the residential area more car-free, right turns from both streets will be restricted. Local traffic will be able to reach its destination via the bicycle street. "This will improve the quality of life of residents," said Ans Persoons, Brussels State Secretary for Town Planning and Heritage.
Road safety will also be improved at two points where many accidents occur: the junction between Boulevard Lambermont and Rue Max Roos and the junction between Avenue Eugène Demolder and Avenue Sleeckx.
Aside from practical changes, the plans also envisage the "beautifying" of the public space around this axis. The lawn between Rue Guillaume Kennis and Avenue Britsiers (to the northeast of the park) will be transformed into a rain garden and meeting place. Almost 4,000 m² of planting and 137 additional trees will be added and public lighting and street furniture will also be renewed along all avenues.
Credit: Brussels Mobility
The issuing of the permit was welcomed by the mayor of Schaerbeek Cécile Jodogne, who stressed that the municipality has been calling for the Boulevard to be renewed for 30 years to improve road safety. However, she stressed that the regional project does not completely meet the expectations of Schaerbeek's authorities.
"We made several comments that we felt were essential during the public enquiry, but which were not included in the permit that was issued today," she noted. "It's good that the Region is investing in this project, but it's a shame that the voice of the municip has only been partially heard, even though we know the terrain and the problems of the residents adjacent to the boulevard better than anyone."
The main points of content were the addition of parking spaces, which "were not wanted" and issues with the practicalities of certain two-way cycle lanes.
