Leopold II tunnel closed to all traffic from Friday night

Leopold II tunnel will shut down completely starting tomorrow (Friday) night at 22.00, in a repeat of last summer.  While the tunnel is closed nights year-round for structural renovations, during July and August it is closed 24/7.

Leopold II is Brussels’ longest tunnel, running from the Basilique in Koekelberg all the way to Sainctelette. A complete closure, even during the summer, causes delays, so several measures have been taken to offer commuters alternatives.

Detours are being signposted for traffic coming from the north on the A12 and from the south through Anderlecht on Boulevard Industriel. On Avenue Charles Quint – which leads traffic into Brussels from the E40 and the ring road – there will be two lanes eastbound, heading into the city, one reserved for buses only. One lane will be available westbound, heading out of the city.

Also on Avenue Charles Quint will be a two-way cycle path in the middle of the thoroughfare. Avenues du Panthéon and des Gloires Nationales, which circle the Basilique, will have one lane in each direction: Cars drive clockwise in one lane, while buses, emergency services and motorcyclists drive counter-clockwise on the other.

Buses and trams, including De Lijn busses, that travel on these roads will be scheduled more frequently. This includes, but is not limited to, Stib buses 13, 20 and 87, as well as trams 19, 51 and 82. To get commuters coming into the capital out of their cars, more trains are also being scheduled, including the S3 Zottegem-Dendermonde, the S4 Aalst-Vilvoorde and the S10 Dendermonde-Aalst.

Works taking place in the tunnel this summer include new asphalt, an update to sewer and water pipes and improvements to the ventilation system. On 2 September, the tunnel will re-open days and go back to night closure only.

Next summer and possibly also in the summer of 2021 the tunnel will close completely again. Works will be completed sometime in 2021.

Photo: Thierry Roge/BELGA