Hoeilaart (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Hoeilaart, a hustle and bustle, a dangerous crossroad is made safe for cyclists. For instance, there was a tunnel laid out under the tracks, which is also an extension of the F205 cycle highway, between Hoeilaart, located in the province of Flemish Brabant and Brussels. During that time, the ecoduct over the Brussels Ring was also ready, and it formed a safe crossing for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for animals.
In Hoeilaart, an improved intersection from a dangerous one has seen extensive safety enhancements for cyclists, pedestrians, and wild animals. The construction of a new 4-meter-wide cycle path, segregated from the motorway, has been extended along the Terhulpsesteenweg, where before the cyclists were sharing the side-paths or degraded paths with cars, as reported by VRT.
Another tunnel under the tracks close to Groenendaal station has also been finished, and between Hoeilaart and Brussels, the F205 cycle highway has been extended. Furthermore, there is now an ecoduct called De Priorij across the Brussels Ring, which ensures a safe passage for cyclists, pedestrians, and other animals, reduces noise pollution, and creates a natural buffer.
“For us this is very important. It strengthens our cycling network in Hoeilaart, because it is an extension of the cycle highway F205”,
says alderman for Mobility Patrick Demaerschalk (Heel Hoeilaart).
“We hope that more people will take the bike to go to Brussels or to Bosvoorde. It should help to have fewer cars on the road and thus make it safer.”
In addition to a tunnel under the tracks, there was also an ecoduct over the Ring, called De Priorij. It is a natural bridge that is more than 50 meters long and offers cyclists, pedestrians, and animals a safe crossing over the Ring.
“The bridge is very important for the animals. It forms a pleasant, green setting and a buffer against the noise of the highway. There is a separate strip for the animals, where no dogs come and no smell of people hangs. It is a safe crossing for them,”
says Patrick Huvenne of the Agency for Nature and Forests.
What was the previous condition of the intersection in Hoeilaart before the safety improvements?
The intersection in Hoeilaart was hazardous and problematic for road users before safety changes. The design was out of date, lacking clear paths and adequate protection for attributes such as cyclists and pedestrians. Traffic jams were common, particularly during peak time, causing frustration on the part of drivers and wild manoeuvres.
There was an incomplete modern traffic management system at the intersection, and poor visibility that increased the risk of accidents in the intersection. There was also inadequate provision of facilities that allow safe crossing for pedestrians; thus, navigating the area was problematic. Such conditions increased the probability of collisions and near-collisions, leading to panic among the locals and the authorities concerned.
In all, the state of intersection previously was characterised with congestion, safety issues and poor infrastructure, hence necessitating the deployment of major safety interventions to ensure all road users were better protected and traffic flow had improved.
