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Federal government to discuss repair of Brussels tunnels
Brussels opposition parties N-VA and MR have called for a parliamentary commission to investigate the city’s tunnels, following news that the Stephanie tunnel under Place Louise must be closed for repairs for up to a year.
According to N-VA and MR – both parties form part of the federal government coalition – the parlous state of Brussels’ tunnels is the result of decades of mismanagement. A commission would examine the exact causes. “The people have a right to clarity,” said Cieltje Van Achter of N-VA.
The latest incident was falling masonry in the Leopold II tunnel, the longest tunnel in the country. It was closed for inspection on Sunday night and re-opened yesterday morning with a report of “no evidence of danger” from Bruxelles Mobilité. About 65,000 vehicles a day go through the tunnel.
Federal deputy prime minister Didier Reynders (MR) has joined with opposition socialist Laurette Onkelinx to call for the federal government to sit down with the Flemish, Brussels and Walloon regions to seek a solution to the renovation and maintenance of the tunnels. Prime minister Michel has put the issue on the agenda of this week’s Concertation Committee, which is made up of representatives of all governments.
Flemish mobility minister Ben Weyts has rejected any proposal that the regions contribute to the cost of improving the state of the capital’s tunnels. “You can’t just send your bills over to be paid by someone else,” he said. “Brussels is responsible, and they have to pay. It makes no difference that Flemish people make use of Brussels infrastructure. People from Wallonia and Brussels use the E40 to go to the coast, but we don’t ask for money from the other regions.”
Photo: Varech/Wikimedia
Comments
Another result of the typical lack of planning and foresight. Now we know they didn't bother inspecting and maintaining the tunnels on a regular basis. So much attention paid and money spent on the pointless new pedestrian zone but something as important as the tunnels was simply ignored. Of course suggestions for charging a toll for using them have already surfaced. At least that may help urge the city authorities to make plans to repair them sometime in the near future. I'll be (pleasantly) surprised if Stéphanie is reopened in a year. Or if work even begins in a year. So far Belgian politics and politicians are just busy squabbling and tossing out the usual stumbling blocks.
Dear ANON2, the pedestrian zone might be pointless to you, but for me and many many others it has made central Brussels infinitely more attractive and accessible.
I do agree that politicians do little more than squabbling though. Hopefully they can get themselves together and agree on car tolls around Brussels SOON!