As the (French-speaking) summer holidays have ended, school is not the only thing restarting in Brussels. The beginning of the new academic year also means the start or resumption of a series of major roadworks in the Capital Region.
The summer is traditionally a period of less car traffic in Brussels, the Brussels Mobility agency and the capital's public transport operator STIB/MIVB use it to make headway on the numerous construction sites across the city.
With that quieter period now coming to an end, several of these sites are moving on to the next phase, while new works are also starting and pre-summer construction resuming. Here is an overview of where to expect construction sites if you're returning to Brussels for the rentrée.
Where to expect traffic disruption
The Brussels-Capital Region's construction group, Beliris, previously announced that part of the Schuman roundabout will be permanently closed to cars from Thursday 28 August to change the traffic situation around the square.
The centre and south of the square will be converted into a pedestrian zone, Boulevard de la Joyeuse will be converted into a bicycle street, and Avenue d'Auderghem and Rue Froissart will become dead ends.
Near Sainctelette, STIB/MIV will be renovating the tram tracks in the bend of Quai du Commerce starting Monday 25 August. Once finished, this will result in a direct connection between the Inner Ring and Boulevard de Dixmude. After the track renovation, Brussels Mobility will follow with the renovation of the public space.
Meanwhile, Brussels Mobility continues to work on the redevelopment of Place Sainctelette on the side of Avenue du Port.
Simultaneously, work in that area continues on the pedestrian and cyclist bridges along the canal, under the bridges for car traffic. At Sainctelette, the Quai des Charbonnages will be extended so that pedestrians and cyclists can comfortably travel from Sainctelette to Park Béco.
Construction site in Brussels. Credit: Yannick Coppens/Brussels Mobility
At De Trooz (near Brussels North train station), an esplanade will be built along the banks, a large open space where passersby can pass safely and comfortably and meet each other.
Work is also underway on the quays themselves. The Port of Brussels continues to stabilise the Quai du Hainaut, and Vivaqua will then renew the pipelines. The Lordana Marchi bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will reopen at the end of August, and the Quai du Hainaut itself will be partially reopened to local traffic at the end of September.
Following the installation of the monumental bicycle bridge at the De Wand roundabout, the works on the A12/Avenue Croix du Feu (in Neder-Over-Heembeek) will continue, which will cause some local disruption. The utility companies are continuing to renew the pipelines, after which Brussels Mobility will further transform the former road (R21) into a city boulevard.
In the centre of Forest, Brussels Mobility is continuing the development of the Chaussées de Neerstalle and Bruxelles. While tram 82 will resume service on 25 August, the street will not reopen to motorised traffic until the end of the year.
Finally, complete redevelopment projects are being prepared in various other locations. For example, the utility companies are renewing their pipelines on the Chaussée de Mons, Place de la Reine, Avenue Lambermont and Avenue du Parc.
