From closed tunnels to public transport overhauls, several major roadwork projects will be carried out across Brussels during the summer holidays. Find out where, when and what disruptions to expect.
As it does every year, Bruxelles Mobilité is taking advantage of the (relative) calm on the roads during the school holiday period to carry out a number of major infrastructure maintenance and renovation projects, it announced on Monday.
"Throughout the year, Bruxelles Mobilité inspects the condition of the capital's tunnels, bridges and viaducts. On the basis of these diagnostics, the administration programmes in-depth maintenance work to guarantee the comfort and safety of users," it wrote in a statement.
"A number of major operations are planned for this summer. To minimise disruption, work in the tunnels will be carried out only at night, although some operations will take longer."
Tunnel works
As was announced earlier this year, the roofs of the Bailli and Vleurgat tunnels on Avenue Louise, connecting the centre of the city to Bois de la Cambre in the southeast will be renovated during the summer as several of the roofs' cables are showing signs of corrosion.
The works will be phased and spread over several weeks to maintain appropriate traffic capacity in each direction of travel. During the first phase until 20 July, the roof of the tunnel shaft towards Bois de la Cambre will be reinforced.
The tunnel shaft towards the centre will be adapted to provide one lane in each direction, with one going towards the centre and the other towards Bois de la Cambre.
Then, from 21 July until 28 August, traffic towards Brussels' green lung will once again be possible through the tunnel shaft going in that direction – but its capacity will remain limited to a single lane. Meanwhile, traffic towards the centre will be diverted above ground via a layout of a temporary road on the parking lane next to the tunnels.
A sign indicating the closure of a tunnel. Credit: Belga/ Nicolas Maeterlinck
At the start of the new school year, the tunnels will reopen with one lane in each direction, and work will continue at night only.
Meanwhile, the Tervuren and Woluwe tunnels will be closed to traffic from 1 July to 27 August for the removal of asbestos, repair of damage to the concrete ceilings and add rust protection.
The Arts-Loi tunnel also has to be stripped of asbestos before the concrete ceilings can be repaired and protected, which means the tunnel will be closed from 22 July to the end of August.
The major maintenance work that is being carried out on the Trône tunnel during night closures will continue until the end of October, while the Madou tunnel will be closed at night until the end of September, and the Reyers-Centre and Rogier tunnels until the end of December.
From September, night work will also be carried out in the Porte de Namur tunnel (until March 2024) and the Botanique tunnel (until early 2024). In all these tunnels, the concrete ceilings will be repaired and protected against corrosion.
Bridges, cycling paths and tramtracks
This summer, the renovation of the deck of the Beaulieu Bridge on the E411 and Delta tunnels will begin to complete the renovation of the bridge deck, including expansion joints, waterproofing, pavement and railings.
These works will also be carried out in two phases: in July and August 2023 on the Ixelles/town centre lanes, and in summer 2024 on the lanes towards Auderghem/suburbs. "The lanes on which the work is being carried out will be closed to traffic and traffic will be transferred to the other two lanes, which will be single-lane in each direction."
Brussels' cycling and pedestrian infrastructure will also be further developed, including the cycling facilities on the Petite Ceinture and around the Jette cemetery. Avenue Brugmann, Rue de l'Hôtel des Monnaies, Rue du Progrès, Avenue de la Reine, while Avenue du Diamant will also be completely resurfaced.
Finally, on Avenue Général Wahis, some inconvenience is to be expected at the intersection with Avenue Léopold III towards Montgomery, as the tram stop will be relocated here.
Related News
Further on this route, at the Lambermont/Princesse Elisabeth junction, Brussels public transport operator STIB is renewing the tram tracks, resulting in traffic being diverted into narrowed lanes. STIB will also be renewing the tracks on the Neerstalle and Place Louise carriageways, and continuing work on tram line 10 at Neder-over-Heembeek.
Finally, a footbridge for cyclists and pedestrians will be constructed in the Rue du Sceptre between Ixelles and Etterbeek.
