Antwerp (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Traffic congestion reached record highs in 2023 after a pandemic-induced drop, with Antwerp and Brussels facing the worst jams due to port activities and construction.
Traffic congestion reached its worst level in May 2018, the highest it had been in recent years. After that there was a gradual decrease in congestion, which provided some relief. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020 traffic patterns changed dramatically. Lockdowns, remote work and travel restrictions caused a big drop in road traffic, leading to much less congestion. This lower traffic continued for several months as the global crisis changed how people commuted and traveled.
What factors contribute to traffic congestion in Antwerp and Brussels?
As restrictions started to lift and normal activities resumed, traffic jams began to get worse again. By April 2021 the average traffic congestion over the past year showed a clear increase, meaning traffic problems were coming back. This trend continued and by July 2023, traffic congestion hit new record highs, going beyond previous levels. It has been said that the return to such severe congestion shows how the pandemic changed traffic patterns and highlights the difficulties of managing road congestion after the crisis.
In Belgium the regions of Antwerp and Brussels often face the worst and longest traffic jams. Antwerp is a major port city, and Brussels is the capital, making them busy spots for both local and international traffic. Their locations and high number of vehicles lead to heavy congestion. The large road networks, many cars and frequent city activities add to the traffic jams in these areas. Problems like ongoing construction, traffic management issues, and a lot of commuters make travel in these regions especially difficult.
In contrast the region of Ghent and the rest of Flanders have much fewer traffic jams on their main roads. It has been said that Ghent is an important city but it doesn’t have as much congestion as Antwerp and Brussels. The road system in Flanders works better for handling traffic, which leads to less severe traffic conditions. The fewer and shorter traffic jams in these areas are due to less traffic, better traffic management, and fewer big construction projects compared to the busier regions. This means that traffic flows more smoothly on the main roads in Flanders, making it easier for residents and travelers to get around.
