Disruption and diversions
Disruption and diversions
All information about the traffic disruption can be found below. The dates we have given for the implementation of specific measures are subject to favourable site and weather conditions, and the contractor's schedule, and may consequently change.
Night and weekend closures for preliminary works
Since January 2024, the contractor has been conducting inspections in preparation for the renovation. To enable these, the tunnel will be closed during several nights and weekends. The detailed schedule and updates are available anytime via the calendar on the website of the Flemish Traffic Centre.
Works diversion road from 12 April 2024 and related alterations
We start with the construction of the diversion road on 12 April 2024 at 9.30 pm. Here below you will find an overview of the alterations we are carrying out to reduce traffic disruption. It involves ten measures in total. They will apply until the end of the renovation.
Overview of the alterations on the diversion road.
1. Improved access to Keteldijk at Sint-Antoniusweg
The bypass at Keteldijk approaching from the south is often blocked during congestion. To avoid this, the straight-ahead travel to Sint-Antoniusweg is no longer possible and all traffic must compulsorily turn right towards Oudedijk. You will reach Ploegweg via a U-turn. This measure has been in effect since 15 February 2024. We will monitor the situation and see if we need to make any adjustments after the renovation. This measure will not impact the passage of the bicycle bus.
Overview of the traffic situation at Keteldijk since 15 February.
2. Temporary exit at R2 complex Waaslandhaven-Noord [11]
We are constructing a temporary exit from the R2 towards Ghent south of the Waaslandhaven-Noord [11] complex. This will relieve the traffic light control at the Waaslandhaven-Noord complex to reach Ploegweg. Traffic coming from Waaslandhaven can still reach Ploegweg via Sint-Antoniusweg. Construction of this temporary exit will take place from 30 April to 31 May 2024. Traffic on the R2 will pass through narrowed lanes during that period. A speed limit of 70 kilometres per hour will apply.
3. Widening of railway crossing at Ploegweg
Traffic currently crosses the railway via one lane. To allow traffic to flow as smoothly as possible on the bypass road, it is widened to two lanes.
4. Ketenislaan roundabout becomes intersection with traffic lights
To handle the heavy flow of traffic from north to south, we converted the roundabout on Ketenislaan into a traffic light-controlled intersection. The road surface of Ploegweg will also be relaid to handle the high traffic flow during the renovation.
Situation for motorised traffic: approaching from Ploegweg all directions are possible, except for a U-turn from Ploegweg towards Oudedijk. Depending on the situation on the Melselebrug or Farnesebrug, information screens will indicate which branch of the diversion route is available: via Ketenislaan or Steenlandlaan, both of which are one-way roads. Approaching from Sint-Jansweg, you can drive in all directions. Sint-Jansweg itself is accesible via Ploegweg.
Situation for bicycle traffic: cyclists can travel in all directions at all times. All bicycle crossings at the intersection will also be equipped with traffic lights so that the active road users can cross safely.
From 1 May to 8 July, traffic will temporarily drive over a roundabout with temporary blocks. We are also working on the central island in Ketenislaan near the roundabout for several days. Disruption will be limited then, particularly turning off from the roundabout onto Ketenislaan will not be possible. Traffic to the Mechelsebrug or the cul-de-sac on Sint-Jansweg will detour via Steenlandlaan and Fort de Perelweg.
5. Adaptation of bicycle crossings on Ketenislaan and Steenlandlaan
Starting in early July (subject to change), we will secure the bicycle crossings with traffic lights with push-button request. This allows active road users to cross safely.
6. Alteration of intersection at ADPO
On Steenlandlaan, during the period of the renovation, one-way traffic towards Ghent will apply via two lanes, except between the roundabout at Ketenislaan and the ADPO slip road. The contractor will convert the current parking lane into a traffic lane. This keeps ADPO accessible from both south and north, with access controlled by traffic lights. Outbound traffic from ADPO can only turn right onto Steenlandlaan. Motor traffic and cyclists are separated safely with barriers. The bicycle crossings at the intersection are also traffic light-controlled. The alterations will take place from the end of May at the earliest (subject to change).
7. Adaptation of Steenlandlaan in connection with improved access to ADPO
Steenlandlaan allows one-way traffic towards Ghent. Traffic passes via two lanes to reach the R2 slip road. To enable this, the current parking lane will be removed and replaced with a road surface in asphalt, except for the section between the roundabout at Ketenislaan and ADPO. During the alterations, from 27 May to 3 June 2024, traffic on Steenlandlaan will pass via narrowed lanes.
8. Widening of the slip road at R2 complex Waaslandhaven-Zuid [10] towards Ghent
To smoothly connect the bypass road to the R2, we will be widening the current slip road towards Ghent at complex Waaslandhaven-Zuid [10] from one to two lanes. To increase road safety, we will fully secure the separation of the slip roads leading on and off the highway.
We are carrying out the works in two phases, from 27 May to 21 June 2024. During phase 2, the current exit will be closed and the current slip road towards Steenlandlaan will be blocked. You can still access Steenlandlaan from the south as far as ADPO. If you drive from Steenlandlaan towards the roundabout, you can do so via a separate branch.
Click on the images to enlarge the maps.
9. Construction of additional R2 slip road for emergency services at Beverse Dijk
At present, Beverse Dijk is a cul-de-sac. We will provide a direct connection to the R2, so that emergency services can reach the Waaslandhaven from Melsele easily -. For this purpose, Beverse Dijk will be fitted with bollards that can be removed by the emergency services. We will perform these alterations from 24 June to 8 July 2024.
10. Restriction of freight traffic in Kallo
To prevent cut-through traffic in the centre of Kallo, we are introducing a road width restriction near the Milcobel site on Fabriekstraat. A 'truck gate' prevents freight traffic from turning onto Fabriekstraat. The gate will go into operation at the earliest from the start of renovation on 8 July.
No restriction is currently being implemented for passenger traffic. We will monitor this during the renovation and see if additional measures are necessary.
Tunnel renovation as of 8 July 2024
The Beverentunnel will be closed to traffic heading towards Ghent for one year as of 8 July 2024. A diversion via Ploegweg – Ketenislaan along the Kallo lock complex – Steenlandlaan will apply, in order to reach the R2 via the Waaslandhaven-Zuid complex [10]. Traffic heading towards the Netherlands will still be able to pass through the Beverentunnel, either through the designated tunnel or via the tunnel normally used for traffic going in the opposite direction.
General overview of the diversion route for motor and bicycle traffic.
Train traffic diversion
To ensure a smooth flow on the diversion route, train traffic will be interrupted on weekdays during rush hours at the crossing at Ploegweg and Oudedijk, near the Kallo Lock. From 05.30 am to 07.00 pm, freight trains will be routed via Steenlandlaan - Hazopweg - Hoogschoorweg - Blikken - Sint-Antoniusweg. Outside rush hours, from 7.00 pm to 05.30 am, train traffic can pass through.We will also make the railway crossings traffic light-controlled. At the weekend, train traffic can always pass through according to its normal schedule. For further information, please contact Infrabel.
Overview of the diversion route for train traffic.
Incident on diversion road?
If the diversion route is blocked, for example in case of an emergency, a diversion via Steenlandlaan - Hazopweg - Hoogschoorweg - Blikken - Sint-Antoniusweg (emergency routes U and Z) will apply to all traffic.
Overview of de diversion route in case of incident on the diversion road.
Incident in the Kennedytunnel?
If the Kennedytunnel (R1) is blocked in the direction of the Netherlands, a diversion via the route on the R2 will apply. If the tunnel in the direction of Ghent is blocked, there are three ways to take a detour. From Zeeland, you take the N62 - Westerscheldetunnel - E34. From Antwerp, you take the A12 - Rupeltunnel - Temsebrug (N16) - E17. From Willebroek/Brussels, you take the A12 - R0 - E40.
Overview of the diversion route in case of incident in the Kennedytunnel (R1).