Zwijndrecht (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Roads and Traffic Agency will upgrade signposts along the E17 and E34 roads. This upgrade aims to reduce confusion for drivers after Zwijndrecht, Beveren, and Kruibeke merged into one area.
On January 1, 2025, Zwijndrecht, Beveren, and Kruibeke united to form a new area named Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht. Zwijndrecht has also relocated from the province of Antwerp to East Flanders. However, drivers on the E17 and E34 motorways still see old signs saying they are in Antwerp.
According to the officials, these signs have not been changed yet, which confuses some drivers. They mentioned that this merger aims to improve local government and services for nearly 87,000 people across 13 smaller areas covering about 200 square kilometres.
What is the status of the motorway signs in Zwindrecht after the merger?
According to the Roads and Traffic Agency, they are late in changing the motorway signs. Stefanie Nagels, a spokesperson, confirmed that it is their job to update the signs. She said they would replace the signs along the E17 and E34 to show the correct province. The agency plans to finish this work within the year. This will help clear up confusion for local people and travellers.
“Those signs still need to be moved,”
Says Stefanie Nagels.
“That is effectively our responsibility. At all places where the provincial borders are indicated, along the E17 and the E34, among others, we will place the correct signs.”
According to the officials, the merger caused some arguments, especially about the name of the new area. An online poll showed people wanted to call it “Beveren Waas,” but the Zwijndrecht council did not agree. They thought it did not represent the local communities well.
In the end, they chose the name “Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht,” which includes all 3 areas. Officials mentioned that the Roads and Traffic Agency will update the motorway signs, which is a small but important step in showing the new identity of the region.
