According to Brussels Mobility, Keizer Karellaan is currently an unattractive and busy traffic axis, without facilities for cyclists. The aim of the reconstruction is to better integrate the avenue into the urban fabric and thus improve the quality of life of the residents.
City boulevard
“The Keizer Karellaan will become a city boulevard that accommodates car traffic as well as cyclists and pedestrians,” says Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Green). “The avenue will become more attractive for traders, more pleasant for residents and safer around the school district. New trees and green areas will also create meeting places for local residents, who often do not have a garden or terrace.”
The two lanes in both directions will be retained, including the green central reservation. However, there will be a dynamic coordination and management system for traffic lights along the entire axis to make traffic flow more smoothly. Intersections that currently cause congestion will be simplified. Furthermore, 165 of the current 387 parking spaces will be deleted for tree planting.
Cycle paths
The project also provides for the construction of cycle paths, including between the regional border and the intersection with Dendermondestraat. There will be one four meters wide, connected to the future Flemish bicycle highway F2. There are 88 bicycle parking spaces and drop zones for shared scooters and bicycles.
The construction of four squares is still planned, at Louis Bankengaarde, Willy Chambongaarde, Oscar Maesschalckstraat and Dendermondestraat. New street furniture will be installed in these places, including play equipment for children and more greenery.
A total of 75,000 square meters of Keizer Karellaan will be cleared for plantings. Some paved areas will also be permeable, such as parking lots and the buffer zone between parking lots and cycle paths.
