Turnhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – From Aug 5–7, Turnhout will test soil and groundwater in Gasthuisstraat before rebuilding it in 2027. 8 tubes will be installed. Alderman Stijn Adriaensens confirmed minor disruptions.
As VRT News reported, from Tuesday, August 5th to Thursday, August 7th, work will take place in Gasthuisstraat, a busy shopping street in Turnhout. The city is preparing to renovate and rebuild the street.
Officials mentioned that before starting, they need to check the ground under the road. They will conduct tests to determine how much water the soil can absorb. They also want to know what kind of paving there is now. The city will also drill holes to place 8 tubes. These tubes will measure how high or low the groundwater is.
What will Turnhout’s Gasthuisstraat look like after 2027?
According to officials, the tests on the soil and groundwater in Gasthuisstraat will help decide how the new street will look and work. The full rebuilding of the street is planned for 2027 and is part of a bigger plan to improve the centre of Turnhout.
The city wants the street to handle heavy rain and changing weather better. These tests are important to choose the right type of ground layers and to know how to deal with rainwater in a smart and safe way.
During the testing days, people who live or work in Gasthuisstraat will face some small problems. Alderman Stijn Adriaensens said that it may be a bit harder to reach some homes, and shops will not get deliveries for a short time. He also said that everyone was told about this before the work started.
Buses will take a different route while the tests happen, but it is the same route used during the Turnhout fair, so most people already know it. People who walk or ride bikes can still go through the street.
In Antwerp, the city redesigned parts of the Scheldekaaien (Scheldt quays) to better handle rising water levels and heavy rainfall. One section, called Nieuw Zuid, was transformed with new walking and cycling paths, open green spaces, and a smart rainwater infiltration system.
Officials mentioned that, like in Turnhout’s Gasthuisstraat, soil and groundwater studies were carried out first to guide sustainable design choices. The Antwerp project also included planting hundreds of new trees and creating more space for the river, helping protect the city from flooding while improving public space and biodiversity.
