Closed entry ramps and narrowed lanes on the E19. Belgium is renovating an important transport corridor
Belgium is starting a major renovation of the E19 between Mechelen and Rumst, one of the key routes between Antwerp and Brussels. Drivers should expect lane narrowing, traffic being shifted onto the opposite carriageway, closed entry ramps and diversions.
On a two-kilometre section near the Mechelen-Zuid interchange, road workers will replace the wearing course of the pavement. Between Mechelen-Noord and Rumst, over a distance of about 10 kilometres, both the wearing course and the structural layers of the road will be renewed. The E19 is one of the most important road routes in Belgium. It connects Antwerp with Brussels and forms part of an international transport corridor leading further towards France and the Netherlands.
The first stage of works will begin on 25 June at 20:00 and will last until 30 June. The works will be carried out near the Mechelen-Zuid interchange. Depending on the stage, two or three lanes towards Brussels will be closed, and traffic will periodically be directed only onto the hard shoulder.
The biggest changes to traffic organisation are planned for the period from 30 June to 17 July near the Mechelen-Noord interchange. During this time, traffic towards Brussels will be shifted onto the carriageway leading to Antwerp. Two narrowed lanes will remain available in each direction.
In addition, from 1 to 17 July, both entry ramps onto the E19 towards Brussels at the Mechelen-Noord interchange will be closed. The Willebroek / Mechelen-Noord / Mechelen-Centrum exit will also be unavailable for vehicles travelling on the E19.
AWV has designated diversions for local and transit traffic. Vehicles heading to Willebroek, Mechelen-Noord and Mechelen-Centrum will be diverted via the Rumst interchange and the N1 road. Traffic from the N16 and the R6 will be routed via Baroniestraat and Uilmolenweg to the Mechelen-Zuid interchange.
Long-distance diversions have also been designated for traffic heading towards Brussels. Vehicles travelling from Duffel should use the E19 entry ramp in Rumst, while traffic from Heist-op-den-Berg and Putte will be diverted via the N15 and B101 roads.
The third stage of the investment will cover the E19 section near Rumst. The works are scheduled for August. A detailed timetable for this part of the project is to be published by AWV at a later date.
