The Flemish government is considering the future of the Ring around Brussels. The planned redevelopment of the Ring around Brussels is a victory for the thousands of commuters who move to and from Brussels every day. In addition, the planned interventions contribute to the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Flemish Periphery. The redevelopment of the northern Ring fits in nicely with earlier investment projects in Flanders. 

After all, the free bus lanes for the Ringtrambus, the redesigned slip roads, bicycle highways, bicycle bridges and Hoppin points were all part of the 'Working on the Ring' project. “With these investments, we have reached out to the Brussels-Capital Region. We therefore invite them to work constructively together now on this mobility of the future," said the Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works. Lydia Peeters.

In concrete terms, the Ring around Brussels in the Zaventem zone will have a parallel structure, where through traffic will be separated from local traffic. In the Wemmel zone, where the Ring takes up less space, the traffic flow is optimized and slip roads are tackled. For example, the cut-through traffic is removed from the residential areas and returned to the Ring. This choice was preceded by an intensive participation process with stakeholders and local residents.

“With the 'Working on the ring' project, we are preparing the Ring around Brussels for the future. We are investing in better traffic flow, more traffic safety, green areas and ecological connections and more options for sustainable travel by realizing new public transport connections and bicycle highways. For example, we provide one billion euros for high-quality public transport and more than 115 km of safe and comfortable bicycle pools and bicycle highways, and that before the major works start."

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An added bonus is that the new Ring will take up less space than the Ring today.

Based on the design, a new Regional Spatial Implementation Plan (GRUP) will be elaborated by De Werkvennootschap, which will include the necessary zoning for the redevelopment of the northern part of the R0 and the reinforcement of the open space network.

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The 'Working on the ring' project ensures that we can move more quickly and safely, but also that our goods get to their place on time. The latter is crucial to keep the logistics chain running and to valorise our geographical asset. Our location within Europe is one of the greatest economic assets of Flanders. Smooth traffic on an economic artery such as the Ring is therefore of enormous importance for the economy, prosperity and therefore the well-being of every Flemish person.

asset for nature

An additional advantage is that the new Ring will take up less space than the Ring today, which is very important in urbanized Flanders. Thanks to this project, 88 hectares of space will be released, and more than 60 ecological connections will be realized along, over and under the R0. Eight hollowed-out waterways are being reopened. In addition, a large number of redevelopments are proposed to strengthen the open space network in and around the R0. With thousands of cubic meters of extra water buffer capacity, the environment is also better protected in the event of heavy rainfall.

“With these proposed design principles, we are taking a number of important next steps towards a final decision,” said Minister Peeters. “A consultation round will follow after the summer. Then the authorities involved – at local, provincial and regional level – can give their advice on the process to date, including the proposed combination alternative.”

After the consultation round, the spatial implementation plan is submitted to the Flemish Government with a view to provisional adoption. This provisional determination is linked to a public inquiry. Then residents from the region, organizations and associations can formulate their comments. After processing the comments during the public inquiry, the spatial implementation plan is definitively adopted by the Flemish Government.

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