Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Genk completed a new pedestrian bridge over Europalaan overnight to ease traffic for the Warmest Week festival. Alderman Karel Kriekemans expects 15,000 visitors daily and added 8,000 free parking spaces.
As VRT News reported, Genk has opened a new pedestrian bridge over Europalaan ahead of the Warmest Week festival. They mentioned that the bridge makes it easier and safer for people to cross the busy street. Residents say the bridge is important for the festival.
“If you know how many people are expected, and they’re mainly coming by public transport, it can get very crowded here,”
says Anita.
“Will the bridge stay after the Warmest Week? Not for me; I think it’s a bit of a monstrosity,”
she says, laughing.
What will happen to Genk’s pedestrian bridge after Warmest Week?
Some are asking if it can be kept permanently.
“It won’t hinder traffic, and people can cross safely without waiting,”
says Diane.
“Thanks to the bridge, traffic on Europalaan won’t have to stop for pedestrians crossing,” Willy believes. “I have no objections whatsoever; as far as I’m concerned, the bridge can stay. It will only improve safety.”
“I’ve already been asked if the bridge could remain in place permanently to avoid traffic jams,”
responded Genk Alderman for Mobility Karel Kriekemans (CD&V).
“After the Warmest Week, we’ll evaluate how many pedestrians used the bridge. After all, there’s also the pedestrian tunnel at Fruitmarkt, further down Europalaan.”
Officials mentioned that the project is one part of Genk’s city-wide mobility plan. The city will install pedestrian signs in the centre to guide visitors. Extra trains will also run, including a late connection from Genk to Hasselt and Leuven at 10:39 PM.
Genk is getting ready for a major rise in visitors during the Warmest Week and is expanding its parking options across the city. Besides the 5,000 paid spaces in the city centre and the parking lot at the Limburghal, the city will open 3 large free parking areas with a total of 8,000 spaces. These sites will be located at C-mine, Thor Park, and the Bosdel site in Genk-Zuid.
“From there, shuttle buses will run constantly back and forth to buffer traffic in the city centre,”
says Kriekemans.
“We are also providing a large, free, secure bicycle parking area beneath City Hall.”
The Warmest Week will run from December 18 to 24, 2025, at Cosmogolemplein, where around 15,000 people are expected each day. Kriekemans says the location can handle the heavy turnout and is ready for the daily flow of visitors.
Officials explain that the city has dealt with similar crowds before. When Joos Klein performed at Genk on Stage, the city carried out the same type of planning. At that time, the stage stood closer to the square, which reduced available space. For the Warmest Week, the stage is placed farther back. For safety, the city is also checking whether the venue should close once it reaches full capacity.
The Warmest Week has been a major solidarity event in Flanders since 2006, and a different city hosts it each year. Genk last welcomed the event in 2016, when large crowds filled the centre for concerts and charity actions. The festival has grown over time and now draws tens of thousands of visitors each day.
