In Ghent, work is finally starting on the reconstruction of Flanders’ busiest tram line and the surrounding sewer system, roads and footpaths. The project stretches from the city ring road to the Korenmarkt, will take over three years and cost more than 23 million euros. Flemish local transport company De Lijn, water management company Farys and the Ghent city authorities are sharing the costs. The work will begin with excavation work around the Old Courts of Justice.
In Ghent, work on the so-called Petercelle axis is now truly under way. Over the next three years, the commercial axis, which runs from the city ring road to the Korenmarkt, will undergo a complete reconstruction. This is a massive project with a significant impact on the city. The works take their name from the old city gate that stood by the Ketelbrug, next to the Old Palace of Justice. That is precisely where the work will begin.
Work will be carried out in various zones, each in three phases. Archaeologists will first carry out excavations, as the axis lies at the heart of medieval Ghent. This will be followed by work on the sewerage system. Once these are complete, the contractor will begin by laying the tram line, the pavements and the cycle paths. There are a total of 22 different zones.
The comprehensive redevelopment is intended, among other things, to improve the flow of tram traffic along the route. The tram line has been out of service for some time to allow preparatory work to be carried out. It used to be the busiest line in Flanders, carrying 35,000 passengers a day. The tram was often unable to reach its optimum speed due to numerous obstacles. At the same time, there was little space for pedestrians and cyclists. All of this is now being tackled at one and the same time.
During the works, pedestrians will always be able to make their way through the various construction zones. Diversions are in place for motorists (purple route) and cyclists (yellow route). There is a website with up-to-date information to help you get around Ghent smoothly. The city advises motorists as much as possible to park on the outskirts of the East Flemish capital. Almost 3,000 additional spaces have been provided.
The car park on the Kouter is only accessible via the Schouwburgstraat; the other entrance will be closed. The shops in the nearby Veldstraat will remain open. The redevelopment of the shopping street will take place in the final phase.
Out with the cobblestones
The first section must be completed before the start of the Ghent Festival in July. The Ketelbrug will be completely closed and renovated later this year. A temporary footbridge will be installed, which will be wheelchair accessible. Work on the bridge will take up to a year.
There will also be periods of inactivity during the works (including the construction industry’s annual holiday period). These will allow sufficient time for the archaeological investigation and compensate for any delays caused by weather conditions. The archaeologists will also organise a monthly briefing on their preliminary finds and findings. When work is not taking place, the site will be covered with crushed stone.
The aim is for everything to be completed by the summer of 2029. A tram will then once again run through the Veldstraat, connecting the city ring road to the Korenmarkt. The traditional cobblestones, which disappeared two years ago, will not be returning.
The works are budgeted at over 23 million euros. De Lijn (8.3 million), Farys (7.8 million) and Ghent (6.9 million) are sharing the costs.