Most of the big changes are on Ring North. Here is a quick summary of this area, focusing on system interchanges, running clockwise from Groot Bijgaarden (E40) in the west.
Zone 1: From Groot-Bijgaarden to Meise: https://www.werkenaandering.be/en/zone-1
E40 Groot-Bijgaarden - stack turbine replaced with four level stack. Braiding added on north side to better utilise existing C/D lanes.
A12 Strombeek-Bever - stacked roundabout replaced with four level stack
Vilvoorde Zone 2: From Grimbergen to Vilvoorde: https://www.werkenaandering.be/en/zone-2
The main element here is renovation of the long Vilvoorde viaduct and eventual addition of a fourth lane.
Zone 3: From Machelen to Kraainem: https://www.werkenaandering.be/en/zone-3
E19 Machelen - stackturbine was recently completed. Proposed addition of braiding and C/D lanes on south side of it
A201 Zaventum-Henneaulaan - turbine replaced with SPUI!!! The explanation here suggests a total disconnection with reality:
How beautiful is it really going to be with all the traffic from a major international airport and arterial motorway queuing at traffic lights? The only way this would make any sense is if traffic on the A201 was being drastically reduced, e.g., by relocating the airport access. But the FAQ makes it clear this isn't happening:The redevelopment is based on three key considerations:
1. The layout, size and location of the current turbine node do not meet the requirements for a traffic-safe environment.
2. The distances between the turbine junction and the interchange between the Brussels Ring Road and the E19, as well as the distance between the turbine junction and the Henneaulaan connection complex, are too short. As a result, drivers often have to quickly change lanes at too short a distance.
3. The existing turbine flyover is in poor condition and is in urgent need of replacement. The current condition of the flyover leads to potential safety risks and hinders smooth traffic flow on the Ring around Brussels.
This design and short distances lead to a concentration of traffic accidents and hinder smooth flow on the Ring around Brussels, often resulting in traffic jams. There is an urgent need for restructuring to improve both road safety and traffic flow .
That is why the busy turbine junction is being transformed into a beautiful city boulevard, complete with a green park and an openwork Woluwe.
Surely the lack of R0 junction spacing and capacity should be resolved with braiding and C/D lanes as at other junctions.Won't the new traffic interchange at the airport (SPI with traffic lights) cause additional traffic jams?
The traffic analyzes show that the SPI traffic lights will not cause structural traffic jams. The current major problem is the limited capacity of the R0. Thanks to the compact design of the junction, we get more space on the R0, which will allow it to function better. This also allows the new connection complex to handle more traffic.
Will the A201 remain the only road to the airport?
Yes, the A201 indeed remains the main access road to Brussels Airport. However, we also take local roads and traffic through the center of Zaventem into account. During the construction phase we discussed measures to discourage cut-through traffic. In addition, the measures taken on the R0 are aimed at smoothing traffic on the R0 and the interchange with the E40. This would reduce the need for alternative routes via the center of Zaventem.
E40 St-Stevens-Woluwe - turbine replaced with four level stack. Braiding and C/D lanes added to north side.
Numerous minor junctions are also to be reconstructed in Ring North.
There are additionally changes to several junctions in Ring East. The most eye-catching is E411 Leonard, currently a limited access freeflow junction converted from a stackabout. An unusual offside four level stack is proposed, with much of it underground:
Overall I feel their contractors have taken them for a ride, aiming for a full, complex reconstruction of every junction where problems could instead be solved with an extra couple of ramps. Notably only the minor or detrimental changes like the A201 are being fast tracked: https://www.werkenaandering.be/nl/werke ... astructuur I seriously doubt there are the resources to go round ripping up multiple freeflow junctions to replace them with tunnelled stacks. Belgium is not exactly renowned for generous road budgets.