BRUSSELS — Heavy traffic congestion gripped the E411 motorway on Monday morning, causing delays of around 20 minutes for commuters approaching the tunnel under the Carrefour Léonard junction, where significant renovation work commenced.
According to Touring Mobilis, the traffic bottleneck began forming before 08:00, particularly affecting those travelling from Hoeilaart towards Brussels.
The Flemish Traffic Centre has advised motorists to avoid using the E411 towards Brussels during morning rush hours if possible.
In a move to ease the burden on the congested route, the Belgian railway operator, SNCB, has increased train capacity to offer an alternative for frustrated commuters.
The current traffic arrangement funnels all vehicles travelling towards Brussels and Namur through the tunnel in the Namur direction.
This temporary setup is expected to change in a few months when traffic in both directions will be rerouted through the tunnel in the Brussels direction instead.
Until the renovation project reaches its next phase, drivers heading towards Brussels will be limited to a single lane, further exacerbating delays during peak hours.
Tunnel Work on Brussels Ring Road
Meanwhile, on the Brussels Ring Road (R0), traffic conditions are anticipated to improve following the reopening of the inner ring tunnel for daytime use on Saturday.
The Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic (AWV) announced that it would restrict tunnel maintenance work to evenings and nights to minimise daytime disruptions.
According to the new schedule, both tunnels will remain open from 05:30 until 20:30 on weekdays, with closures occurring only at night.
This strategic shift in timing is aimed at alleviating congestion on one of Belgium’s busiest motorway networks during critical commuting hours.
The AWV emphasised that the night-time closures would allow maintenance teams to proceed with necessary work without causing extensive delays for daytime traffic.
Renovations to Continue Until Late 2025
The extensive renovation work at the E411 and R0 tunnels is part of a broader infrastructure upgrade plan aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency on the region’s roads.
According to the AWV, all construction activities, including tunnel reinforcements and technological upgrades, are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Commuters have expressed frustration over the delays, urging authorities to expedite the work. In response, the AWV has stated that it is exploring all options to streamline the process while maintaining safety standards.
With traffic conditions likely to remain challenging for the foreseeable future, authorities continue to recommend that motorists seek alternative routes or consider public transport to bypass the congestion hotspots.
