“With this investment, I want to make a difference for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users, without ignoring the needs of motorists,” the city’s mobility minister Brigitte Grouwels said. “Together with our partners, I am working towards letting Brussels grow over the coming years into a nicer city to live and work.”

The plans involve several major developments. Trams 92 and 94 will be diverted at Koningsplein via Central Station to Treurenberg, to better integrate tram and train. A new tramline will allow easier access to Jette and Ganshoren, while the 62 tramline on Leopold-III laan will be extended towards the airport, and €83 million will go on new tram rolling stock.

A total of €100,000 is earmarked for a study into a tram connection with Tour & Taxis. Also in the canal area, a bridge would join Picardstraat to the North Station neighbourhood on the other side of the canal. The disputed Havenlaan renovations would be the subject of a new round of discussions with local groups, while €1 million will be spent on improving cycle and footpaths.

Elsensesteenweg in the Elsene commune, the second biggest shopping street in the city, will begin its long-awaited makeover this summer, involving new cycle lanes, bus shelters and benches. Leuvensesteenweg will be resurfaced between Madouplein and Sint-Joostplein, turning it into a pedestrian street, also open to buses. “This will breathe new life into the street, so the area can carry on improving,” Grouwels said.

Works going on in the metro and tunnel complex under Rogierplein in the city centre will be extended, with developments above ground, including the reorganisation of traffic lanes, tree-planting and the installation of a canopy over the square.

About €16 million will be invested in new cycle-paths on regional roads, as well as improving existing lanes, including on Woluwelaan and the inner ring.

Finally, plans to renovate the Leopold-II tunnel will take a step further as the region draws up detailed specifications, to be presented to potential partners in the public-private development.