There are more road works in the run-up to the municipal elections, as figures that VRT NWS requested from the Flemish construction federation Embuild confirm. But local authorities do not just do this to recruit votes.
It is often thought that there will be more road and infrastructure works in the run-up to the municipal elections. The figures also confirm this. “We indeed see that infrastructure works in Flanders have increased last and this year,” says Niko Demeester, CEO of Embuild.
“In 2023 there was a growth of 5 percent compared to 2022. This year we expect 4 percent more. In 2025, the year after the elections, we predict a lot less. To minus 1 percent compared to 2024.”
We see this increase in infrastructure works at approximately all elections and that is quite logical,” Demeester explains. “The works follow a process of tenders, approvals, implementation and making new plans.”
“That process will take several years anyway,” adds Nathalie Debast of the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities. “You are faced with permits and subsidies that have to be coordinated between different authorities. Suppose you want to install a sewerage system, then you also have to think about the cycle path above it.”
WATCH ALSO. This year 41 major road works on Flemish motorways
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