Vilvoorde (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Since August 9, heavy vehicles over 3.5 tons have been banned from the Vilvoorde viaduct on weekends (Friday 11 PM to Monday 4 AM) until early 2026. Despite this, 15% of drivers ignore the ban, resulting in fines of €174. Authorities plan to install physical barriers to enforce compliance more effectively.
Since the second weekend of August, heavy vehicles have been banned from the Vilvoorde viaduct on weekends, specifically on the inner ring (Ring 0) towards Zaventem, from Friday at 11 PM until Monday at 4 AM. This measure aims to reduce the viaduct’s load during peak traffic times and facilitate maintenance when there are fewer vehicles. The ban does not affect regular cars or light vehicles, which can continue using the inner ring without restrictions. Heavy vehicles can still travel on the outer ring towards Groot-Bijgaarden, allowing authorities to manage traffic effectively while ensuring the viaduct remains safe and durable.
What is the purpose of the weekend truck ban on the Vilvoorde viaduct?
The ban on heavy vehicles over 3.5 tons on the Vilvoorde viaduct is important for doing welding work on the bridge. Heavy traffic causes vibrations that make it hard to weld safely and correctly, which could affect the repairs and the bridge’s stability. By stopping heavy vehicles on weekends, workers can do their jobs without interruptions, making maintenance easier. The group in charge, called Werkvennootschap, wants to make sure no heavy vehicles use the viaduct during these times to keep everything safe and help the bridge last longer, while still letting regular traffic move on the outer ring.
Before construction started, around 3,000 to 3,300 heavy vehicles used the viaduct on weekends. During the first weekend of work, that number dropped to about half, but still, a few hundred drivers are using it. Marijn Struyf from Werkvennootschap said that about 15 percent of drivers are ignoring the ban, even with signs and a big campaign to inform both local and foreign drivers. Last weekend, thirty trucks were fined in just one hour. To solve this, they plan to put up physical barriers to keep heavy vehicles off the viaduct on weekends, but they need approval from the police and the Roads and Traffic Agency first, which will take some time. The ban will stay in place until spring 2026, and ignoring it is a serious offense that can lead to a fine of 174 euros.
