Heavy traffic jams are expected on Friday evening near the Rondpoint Léopold in Namur, the municipal authorities there announced earlier on Friday.
The disruptions were expected as early as 5:00 PM.
Work will be done near the roundabout in connection with the building of a new multi-hub station and the transformation of the site into a highway.
The new roundabout will continue to fulfil all its functions during the first phase of the project, which is being led by the national railway utility, SNCB. However, traffic on the Pont de Louvain (Louvain Bridge) will be strongly disrupted.
From 12 June to 12 August, vehicular traffic will be allowed only on one lane in each direction. The available lanes will change as the works progress and will also be open to cyclists. A pedestrian pathway will be kept open on both sides of the bridge throughout the project, Namur City Hall added.
The Boulevard de Chiny, which passes under the Louvain Bridge, will be closed completely to traffic throughout the period. Vehicles travelling from the Boulevard Cauchy to the Place de la Station will thus only do so via the former bus station.
The second phase of the project is scheduled to run from 12 August to 13 September. Both the Louvain Bridge and the Boulevard de Chiny will then be reopened to traffic, but other disruptions are to be expected since works will then have to be conducted to join the Louvain Bridge to the Boulevard Cauchy.
It is recommended to use the Boulevard du Nord tunnel throughout the duration of the project. The municipality is also calling on road users to travel a few minutes earlier and avoid the area at peak hours.
The Brussels Times
