Traffic complex Ring / A201

We are committed to improving the accessibility of the airport area in several ways. This includes constructing new road infrastructure for connections between the Leopold III-laan (A201) and the Ring Road (R0).

The redevelopment is based on three main considerations:

1. The setup, size and location of the present turbine interchange do not meet the requirements of a traffic-safe environment.
2. The distances between the turbine interchange and the Brussels Ring Road interchange with the E19, as well as the distance between the turbine interchange and the Henneaulaan interchange complex, are too short. As a result, drivers often have to change lanes quickly at too short a distance.
3. The existing turbine flyover is in poor condition and is in urgent need of replacement. The present condition of the flyover leads to potential safety risks and hinders the smooth flow on the Brussels Ring Road.  

This design and short distances cause a concentration of traffic accidents and impede the flow on the Brussels Ring Road, often resulting in traffic jams. There is an urgent need for restructuring to improve both road safety and traffic flow.

For those reasons, the busy turbine interchange will be transformed, creating an attractive urban boulevard complete with a park and an exposed Woluwe river. In addition, the on and off ramps will be completely redesigned, including a new junction above the Ring Road. This Single Point Interchange (SPI) principle with smart traffic lights will ensure smoother traffic flow.

What is an SPI?  

The SPI or Single Point Interchange is an junction solution that is new to Flanders. It is a junction with intelligent traffic lights above the motorway where the on and off ramps meet.

This means that on and off ramps of both directions on the R0 connect to this junction. Unlike the traditional approach with separate traffic lights for each direction of travel, here the left turns take place for both directions at the same time. This makes the traffic more efficient and smoother.

Because the SPI junction is much more compact, we are able to create space on the Brussels Ring Road (R0) for these traffic movements. As a result, there will be longer transition lanes and improved flow. The more compact solution also provides extra space for greenery and water, creating a more sustainable and pleasant urban landscape.

Installing an SPI thus ensures:

• More space for merging and exiting on the Brussels Ring Road (R0) at the junctions with both the E19 and Henneaulaan.  This will reduce the risk of accidents and subsequent traffic jams.
• A smooth flow of traffic at the new junction. That’s because the intelligent traffic light control system provides longer green time for the busiest traffic flows.

Goal of redevelopment: more than a motorway!

Besides improving the traffic infrastructure, the redevelopment involves more than just the motorway. We are also investing, for example, in public green spaces and improved cycling and walking infrastructure. We can summarise this based on the following themes:

• Increasing road safety by reducing conflict zones.
  • We are focusing on a smooth traffic flow on both the Brussels Ring Road (R0) and Leopold III-laan (A201), by reducing conflict zones.
  • Additionally, we want to increase accessibility between the airport and business parks.    
• Completing the cycling infrastructure:
  • The F201 bicycle highway will be extended to Brussels Airport.
  • A cycle junction will be created linking the bicycle highways F201, F3 and FR20.
  • A functional cycling and walking link between Diegem-Lo and Diegem will be realised.

• Creating space for the river:
  • Space for water will be created by opening up the Woluwe river in the new park.
  • The new, winding route of the Woluwe will increase its buffering capacity, allowing more effective water collection and reducing the risk of flooding.
  • It will also create attractive waterfront habitats for people and wildlife.    
• Improving the ecological value:
  • The ecological value will improve with the development of a green-blue network, where nature and water come together.
  • Infrastructural and natural barriers are being removed, allowing humans and wildlife to move more freely in the area.    
• Increasing quality of life:
  • To improve the quality of life, the Brussels Ring Road (R0) and Leopold III-laan (A201) will be hidden from view by earth berms.
  • This will also restrict the noise nuisance.  

Want to know more? Be sure to visit our YouTube channel, where we explain the operation of the SPI junction in videos, while other videos give a sneak preview of the future situation around the junction. Also take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information.

YouTube    FAQ