Kortrijk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Starting August 19 major roadworks on the E17 between Kortrik-Oost and E403 junction will cause delays for two weeks. Expect lane closures and consider alternative routes.
Starting Monday August 19 there’s big roadworks on the E17 motorway between Kortrijk-Oost and the E403 junction in Aalbeke. They will be renewing the asphalt and road markings to make the road safer and better to drive on. This work is expected to take two weeks and will affect traffic in the area a lot. Drivers using the E17 in either direction should expect traffic jams and delays because of lane closures and slower speed limits during this time. According to resources it’s a good idea to allow extra travel time or look for other routes to avoid the construction area.
What impact will Kortrik’s E17 roadworks have on traffic?
“It’s a distance of 7 kilometers,” says Dirk Vanhuysse from the Roads and Traffic Agency. “Traffic will use 2 lanes in each direction instead of the usual 3.” The work will start after the Alcatraz and Kamping Kitsch Club festivals in Kortrijk to reduce problems for festival-goers. However there will still be traffic issues since the construction holiday is over even though schools haven’t started yet. “To make the work take less time, we’ll be working every day for 2 weeks. If the weather is good, we expect to finish by Sunday, September 1.”
Kortrijk hospital AZ Groninge is worried about the roadwork affecting access since many patients and visitors use the E17 and then take ‘het Ei’ to reach the Kennedylaan campus. Some ramps will be closed making it harder to get to the hospital quickly so they’ve shared updates on their website and Facebook, asking people to leave early. The hospital wants to keep appointments on schedule so they encourage everyone to plan ahead and consider using public transport as there are good connections from the city center. Ambulances will need to adjust their routes too while the teams are aware of which roads are open it will still be tricky for them to get on and off the E17 quickly but they are well-prepared to ensure they arrive at their destinations on time.
