The Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic (AWV) has warned of further disruptions due to works at the Leonard Tunnel, which will be closed to traffic from 8 to 20 May.
Chaotic works at the Leonard Tunnel, where the E411 motorway and the Brussels Ring Road meet in Tervuren, have caused long-standing political disputes due to their negative effect on congestion and road safety issues. The latest phase of renovations, which first began in April 2023, resumed this month, focusing on the tunnel walls and entrances.
The AWV stated in a press release on Monday that the tunnel will be closed from 8 to 20 May, scheduled to coincide with lighter congestion during public holidays Ascension Day (9 May) and Whit Monday (20 May).
During this time, works will focus on repairs to the steel supports between the tunnels of the E411 and R0, which have worn down after 50 years of heavy usage.
'Significant disruption'
Traffic will no longer be allowed to access the ring road tunnel and will be diverted to the intersection at surface level, likely causing major disruptions. "Previously, only the inner ring experienced delays due to the closure of a lane in the tunnel," commented the AWV. "However, now there will also be significant disruption on the outer ring."
The same contractors are working on an "emergency passage" at the Vierarmen Tunnel, two kilometres away from the Leonard Tunnel. "This is a passage between both tubes of the tunnels, so that the emergency services can easily reach the tunnel in the event of an incident," they explained.
Political representatives have taken issue with the works, particularly Flanders' decision to go ahead with renovations without consulting municipalities affected by the resulting disruptions – the municipality of Auderghem has taken the region to court for this reason, and a ruling is expected later this month.
