Belgium’s Summer Roadworks: Deliberate Planning

Despite the summer vacation season, Belgians are still finding themselves stuck in unexpected traffic jams as roadworks continue across Flemish highways. While it may seem counterintuitive, the Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer (AWV) says this is entirely deliberate: complex works that cause significant disruption are now intentionally scheduled during vacation periods to minimize overall impact on daily commuters.

Why Summer Is Prime Time for Roadworks

With fewer commuters on the road and schools closed, July and August offer a rare window for major infrastructure projects. AWV spokesperson Erik Sclep explained on Radio 1’s De Ochtend program that the agency calculates the potential disruption of each worksite before scheduling it. “Complex works that cause much disruption, we deliberately carry out during vacation periods to avoid as many traffic jams as possible,” Sclep said.

However, Sclep cautioned that only about four weeks of the summer are truly low-traffic periods. “From August we see the number of cars slowly rising again,” he noted. “And don’t forget that the people who work on the roads also go on vacation. Sometimes it’s also difficult to find people.”

Current Major Worksites

There are currently 12 major roadworks sites active on Flemish highways, with several causing significant disruption. The most notable include:

• Machelen (E19/R0): Bridge deck and road surface renewal on the connection from E19 to the Brussels inner ring. Running from August 10 to September 26, with only two lanes available and a temporary lane via the Woluwelaan.
• Rumst (E19): Phase 3 of structural maintenance works, renewing the top and bottom layers of the road surface over 2.5 kilometers until August 22.
• Kraainem (E40): Bridge joint maintenance and new asphalt on the viaduct, running from August 3 to August 31 with a speed limit of 50 km/h in the work zone.
• Destelbergen (E17): Structural maintenance works causing disruption on this busy corridor.

The works at the Machelen junction began on August 10 and are expected to cause severe disruption until late September. The bridge deck over the E19 is being stripped down to the waterproofing layer, with local concrete repairs followed by new asphalt and markings.

The first day of maintenance works at the Kraainem viaduct on August 3 was marked by a rear-end collision near Sterrebeek. “It’s not yet clear what exactly happened. Possibly the driver didn’t see the queue coming,” said Carla Cox of AWV.

Record Investment in Infrastructure

This summer’s works are part of a broader program of 45 major roadworks along Flemish highways in 2026, representing a 1 billion euro investment. Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Annick De Ridder (N-VA) announced the program in March, highlighting that the Flemish government is freeing up a record amount for road infrastructure maintenance.

The investment is part of a structural increase from 1.7 billion to nearly 2.2 billion euros annually by 2029. Focus areas include road surface renewal, renovation of 18 bridges and viaducts, maintenance of 7 highway tunnels, and reconfiguration of traffic complexes.

“The most critical phases happen at less busy moments such as nights, weekends and vacation periods,” De Ridder said. “Also, as many lanes as possible are always kept open.”

Coordination Across Borders

To minimize disruption, AWV coordinates works across regional and national borders. Monthly consultation platforms exist in Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent, bringing together the city, the region, and emergency services. A dedicated Minder Hinder-coordinator (Less Hindrance Coordinator) manages overall coordination, including semi-annual consultations with the Netherlands for cross-border works.

“For works in Wallonia we always check whether the relevant works have an impact on the other region,” Sclep explained. “Additionally, there is semi-annual consultation with the Netherlands.”

Stable Number of Worksites

Despite public perception that there are more roadworks than ever, Sclep insists the number has remained stable in recent years. “It’s a question I see returning every year around this period, but the number of works in recent years has remained fairly stable,” he said.

The perception may stem from the fact that Flemish highways carry 63.4 million vehicle kilometers per average working day, making Flanders one of the busiest traffic regions in Europe. With such density, even a single lane closure can create significant ripple effects.

What to Expect Next

As summer progresses, traffic is expected to gradually increase from August onward. The works at Machelen will continue until September 26, while the Kraainem viaduct works end on August 31. Drivers are advised to check traffic information before departure and plan alternative routes where possible.

With the record investment in infrastructure maintenance continuing through 2029, Belgians can expect summer roadworks to remain a recurring feature of the vacation season for years to come.