Action plan unveiled to ease congestion on Brussels Ring

Flemish mobility minister Ben Weyts has announced a plan aimed at improving traffic flow on the Brussels Ring, the R0. The plan involves changing road markings at main junctions where the Ring meets the A12, E19 and E40.

The Brussels Ring – most of which is located in Flemish Brabant – is the scene of tailbacks on an almost daily basis; the timing for the section between Groot-Bijgaarden and Zaventem has become almost a standard unit in Belgium.

One of the worst junctions is the A201 approach road to Brussels Airport, both for traffic to the airport and traffic leaving the airport for the Ring or E19. Weyts’ plan involves splitting the lanes more efficiently to avoid tailbacks. Traffic for the Ring and E19 will no longer hold up lanes heading into Brussels or Vilvoorde.

In Groot-Bijgaarden, changes will be made to the interchange with the E40 in the direction of the coast, with motorists making better use of the right-hand lane. At Strombeek-Bever, changes will be made to the connection with the A12 direction Antwerp, opening up the second right-hand lane to traffic taking the A12.

Over at Kraainem, at the junction with the E40 direction Leuven, traffic coming out of Brussels and using the left-hand lane will no longer have to merge right, making traffic flow faster and safer. Finally, at the Leonard junction in Tervuren, traffic coming from Namur on the E411 will be directed so as to make more use of the right-hand lane, easing congestion at peak times.

Earlier this year, the minister announced that large-scale works on the R0 would begin in 2019, with extra lanes being added along 20 kilometres, splitting local from through traffic.

Photo: Thierry Roge/BELGA