Bornem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Starting today, Aug 11, 2025, Robert Verbelenstraat in Puurs closes for 8 months for sewer upgrades and new cycle paths. Alderman Anne De Ron leads the project; local Rosiers DIY may close temporarily.
As VRT News reported, starting today, Aug 11, 2025, the road linking the centre of Puurs with Bornem, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, will be closed for 8 months for work on Robert Verbelenstraat and Tersagostraat. Workers will replace old sewers with new ones to help with drainage and prevent flooding. The streets will also be redesigned and resurfaced.
Why will the road between Puurs and Bornem be closed for 8 months?
Anne De Ron, alderman for Mobility, says the closure is necessary to finish the project on time. She knows it may cause some trouble at first, but says the upgrades are important for better and safer travel in the future. She mentioned that drivers will need to follow detours, and the city will put up signs to help guide them.
Pidpa will work on the sewer system to keep rainwater and wastewater separate. At the same time, the municipality will fix and improve the road. A new part of the work is building raised cycle paths. These paths will keep cyclists safer, especially because some parts of the road have speed limits of 70 kilometres per hour.
Robert Verbelenstraat will be closed to traffic for 8 months, until the end of April 2026. Drivers will need to take the nearby N16 regional road instead. Rosier’s DIY store fears losing customers and plans to close during working hours. The store also worries it might have to shut down permanently if fewer people visit. More details about the project are available on the municipality’s website.
What were the results of the sewer and road upgrades in Bornem?
A similar project was done a few years ago in nearby Bornem. The sewer system was updated to keep rainwater and wastewater separate. Roads were also changed to add safer bike paths and better surfaces. The work took several months and caused some traffic problems. But it helped reduce flooding and made the streets safer. People in the area saw the benefits after the work was done.
