Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) September 13, 2026 – The initial phase of the C223 bicycle highway in Brussels has reached completion following several months of construction across Koekelberg, Jette, and Anderlecht. Developed along railway line L28, the newly opened sections establish a dedicated cycling route between Belgica and Brussels-West station while repurposing local urban space. Funded through regional, federal, and European Union sources, the project incorporates redesigned streets, new green zones, and altered parking layouts across the affected municipalities.
Infrastructure Specifications and Layout of Completed Sections
The completed segments—comprising Rue Serkeyn, Rue Verheyden, and Rue Glasgow—represent the primary stage of an overall 6.5-kilometre regional cycling connection planned to run between Anderlecht and the City of Brussels. Construction work was executed by contractor Viabuild at a total cost of €7.8 million. Funding for the development was provided jointly by the federal infrastructure fund Beliris and the regional authority Brussels Mobility, with an additional €4.6 million allocated via loan mechanisms under the European Union’s NextGenerationEU recovery plan.
Under the revised street layouts, traffic rules and physical infrastructure have been altered to prioritize non-motorised transit along the corridor. On Rue Gisèle Halimi, Rue Gemba, and Rue Verheyden, the roadways have been reclassified into official cycling zones, where motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited from overtaking cyclists. Along Rue Serkeyn and Rue Glasgow, dedicated four-metre-wide, two-way cycle tracks have been constructed. An ochre-coloured asphalt surface treatment has been applied across the entire length of the path to maintain visual continuity and signal priority.
Public Space Redevelopment and Environmental Modifications
Beyond dedicated transit infrastructure, the engineering scope included alterations to the public realm along the residential streets. Rue Serkeyn was converted into a shared space model, integrating designated meeting zones, recreational areas, and sports installations alongside expanded vegetation. Environmental additions include the planting of approximately 40 trees along Rue Serkeyn, with an additional 15 trees installed along Rue Glasgow.
The reallocation of public space along the route required the removal of existing street parking spaces, which prompted public commentary and local feedback from area residents throughout the construction period. Regional planning directives for the project reflect broader regional mobility frameworks designed to reallocate urban space from private vehicular storage toward active travel networks.
Official Statements on Project Funding and Mobility Policy
Federal Minister responsible for Beliris Bernard Quintin stated that the completed infrastructure addresses shifting transit patterns within the capital region. Quintin noted that public infrastructure must adapt to these changing habits while accommodating all categories of road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
Brussels Regional Minister for Mobility Elke Van den Brandt highlighted the spatial elements of the redevelopment, emphasizing the addition of public green space, play areas, and neighborhood meeting locations along Rue Serkeyn as direct outcomes of the public space realignment.
Future Development Stages and Regional Network Expansion
Further construction phases for the C223 cycle highway are scheduled to proceed over subsequent years. Upcoming infrastructure elements include the installation of a dedicated footbridge and an access ramp designed to connect L28 Park with Belgica and Bockstael. Permit applications for the remaining segments of the 6.5-kilometre route are scheduled for submission in upcoming administrative cycles, leading toward the eventual integration of the C223 into the broader regional cycle highway matrix linking the capital to surrounding suburban zones.
