Government and activists to jointly study Oosterweel solutions

“The activist groups would be crazy not to take part, after their years of efforts to see the Antwerp ring enclosed,” said Manu Claeys, chair of stRaten-generaal, one of the leading groups protesting the construction of Oosterweel on the grounds of public health. He said that stRaten-generaal, together with the other main protest group, Ademloos, would take part in the co-operation.

The southern section of the ring extends from Kennedy Tunnel to the Sportpaleis.

Enclosing it – meaning covering the motorway to form what would essentially be a tunnel – was first proposed by the neighbourhood group Ringland to address the pollution caused by traffic, with an intendant appointed by the management company BAM to look into the proposal.

The study will also consider splitting the motorway for local and through traffic, as well as an interchange, proposed by Sportpaleis, where the motorway would be extended to more than 20 lanes, including on- and off-ramps.

“As far as we’re concerned, this is an important first step,” commented Ringland founder Peter Vermeulen. “It’s the beginning of a real dialogue, the first in 20 years.”

Architect and MIT professor Alexander D’Hooghe, who brought the parties to the table together, is willing to consider any and all possibilities. “We want to reach a conclusion that combines the best ideas from all the parties involved into the strongest possible whole,” he said.

The cost of enclosing the ring is not included in the Oosterweel budget of €3.5 billion set aside by the government of Flanders. “Extra efforts will be necessary,” said mobility minister Ben Weyts, “but we need to have a better view before we can make any decisions about that.” 

Photo: Architect Alexander D’Hooghe (left) and Ringland founder Peter Vermeulen pictured during a press conference yesterday

©Nicolas Maeterlinck/BELGA