Anti-lorry gantries installed at entrances to the Léopold II tunnel

Anti-lorry gantries installed at entrances to the Léopold II tunnel
Gantry installation should prevent lorries over 3.5 tonnes from entering the Léopold II tunnel.

Anti-lorry gantries have been fitted for the five entrances to the Léopold II tunnel in Brussels. This is to discourage Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) from entering. It was confirmed by the spokeswoman for Brussels Transport, Camille Thiry.

The gantries were put in place last week, in the night of Tuesday through to Wednesday. They are a means to prevent outsize lorries from entering the Léopold II tunnel, pending completion of the tunnel's renovation works. They aim to protect against further damage.

Camille Thiry laments, “Despite its being clearly indicated that lorries over 3.5 tonnes cannot access the Brussels tunnel, often lorry drivers do not read these signs.” She goes on, “On several occasions we have already had lorries entering the Brussels tunnels and taking part of the tunnel roof or damaging equipment, whether, for example ventilators or fire safety equipment. A fairly recent incident in the Léopold II tunnel caused very significant damage.”

Choosing the Léopold II tunnel for gantry installation is justified, with its being the longest tunnel in Brussels and given its worrying state. The issue of installing other such anti-lorry gantries is due to be studied subsequently, in particular for those tunnels exceeding 300 metres.


The Brussels Times


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