Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Preparatory work for the Verapaz bridge in Ghent has begun, leading to intersection redesigns at Vliegtuiglaan and Afrikalaan. Improvements include extra lanes, smart traffic lights, and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety measures.
The building of the Verapaz bridge in Ghent is expected to bring a lot more cars to the R4, especially at the Afrikalaan and Vliegtuiglaan intersection. To handle this, they will completely redesign the intersection to make traffic flow better. This will include better traffic lanes, smart traffic lights that adjust to how many cars are on the road, and special lanes for turning to help reduce jams. They will also focus on keeping pedestrians and cyclists safe by improving crossings, adding bike lanes, and upgrading signals. To reduce the noise from the extra traffic, they will put in noise barriers and add green spaces.
What traffic improvements are planned for Ghent’s Vliegtuiglaan and Afrikalaan intersection?
These improvements are part of a larger plan to adjust the roads to the new traffic patterns that the Verapaz bridge will create. The goal is to avoid traffic jams and ensure smoother traffic flow while making it easier for different types of transport, like public transit and cycling, to work together. While the construction might cause temporary issues, the long-term benefits will be a safer and more efficient intersection that can handle more traffic. This will help the city grow and keep everyone moving easily.
It has been said that to make traffic better at the Vliegtuiglaan and Afrikalaan intersection in Ghent, some changes are planned because more cars will come from the Verapaz bridge. They will add an extra lane on Vliegtuiglaan for cars turning onto Afrikalaan to help reduce traffic jams. The two lanes on Afrikalaan will be longer, giving cars more space to merge easily. These updates aim to improve how the intersection works and keep everyone safe. The exit lanes on Afrikalaan will also be longer for cars coming from Dampoort to Vliegtuiglaan, helping drivers slow down and exit safely. These changes will make it easier for cars to get through this busy spot while keeping traffic moving smoothly and making the roads safer.
Preparatory work started on 10th September, which means they are breaking open the middle part of Vliegtuiglaan, and this will reduce one lane in each direction. Cyclists will only be affected starting September 16, when the first phase of the work begins. During this time, the cycle paths and sidewalks at the intersection will also be improved. The cycle paths will be wider and paved with asphalt, and the sidewalks on both sides of Afrikalaan will be expanded to 1.5 meters. The traffic lights at the intersection will also be adjusted to make it safer for everyone.
