Projects: Public transport

Objective
Antwerp’s urban boulevards were custom designed for the king of road users - the car. This layout does not fit in with the new global vision of a mobile Antwerp. Therefore the avenues (Leien) are to be given a facelift with a separate tram and bus lane, wide and separated cycle paths and footpaths, and crossing points accessible for all users. Also building of rapid, punctual tram lines to the first inner belt of outlying municipalities is a priority. This first belt is home to a lot of people at a relatively short distance from the city centre. Ideal for the development of socio-economically responsible tram lines which also help improve the quality of life in the city.

In the residential areas along the densely populated roads into Antwerp, the increasing traffic is adversely affecting the quality of life. The volume of traffic also discourages cyclists and pedestrians. The existing bus lines do not offer enough of a solution, since the buses get caught in the traffic along with all the other vehicles.

Description 

BRABO 1 is the first Public Private Partnership (ppp) for public transport in Flanders. The consortium SIlvius (consisting of Heijmans, Frateur-De Pourcq, Franki and DG infra) won the contract, a DBFM-contract. Next to design, build and finance, teh consortium will also be responsible for maintaining the infrastructure for the following 35 years. 

BRABO 1 contains  the extention of the tram line Antwerp-Mortsel to Boechout. Buses and trams will have their own lanes along the entire route. For motorists there is one lane in each direction. At the junction with Borsbeeksesteenweg in Boechout, there will be a terminus station with car park and a bicycle shed.
The second tramline extension within BRABO 1 is Deurne-Wijnegem. 
BRABO 1 also includes building a new depot for trams in Deurne.
 
Execution period
Works started on 12 October 2009 and ill last until 2012. Detailed information on the works can be found on our project website www.antwerken.be

Objective
Antwerp’s urban boulevards were custom designed for the king of road users - the car. This layout does not fit in with the new global vision of a mobile Antwerp. Therefore the avenues (Leien) are to be given a facelift with a separate tram and bus lane, wide and separated cycle paths and footpaths, and crossing points accessible for all users. Also building of rapid, punctual tram lines to the first inner belt of outlying municipalities is a priority. This first belt is home to a lot of people at a relatively short distance from the city centre. Ideal for the development of socio-economically responsible tram lines which also help improve the quality of life in the city.

In the residential areas along the densely populated roads into Antwerp, the increasing traffic is adversely affecting the quality of life. The volume of traffic also discourages cyclists and pedestrians. The existing bus lines do not offer enough of a solution, since the buses get caught in the traffic along with all the other vehicles.

Description 
In May 2008 and May 2009 the Flemish Govenrment decided to group together the following public transport projects in BRABO 2:

Leien
 
Free tram and bus lanes, separate cycling and walking paths, together with well-thought out layout for through traffic and local traffic will keep the various road users separate. 

The first phase that was completed above ground at the end of 2005 – the north–south section between the new law courts building (Bolivarplaats) and Baeckelmansstraat – is a project financed with regular funds and monitored by the Roads and Traffic Department of the Ministry of the Flemish Community. On the east-west axis tunnels were built to improve the traffic situation near the National Bank. 

The second phase (Noorderleien), which does come under BAM, runs from the intersection with Maria-Theresialei to the Noorderplaats.  This phase also includes the complete rebuilding of the Opera square. 

Eilandje (Little island)
Extension of tramlines to the London street and Amsterdam street.

Ekeren 
Extension of tramline from hte Noorderplaats to the north of Antwerp direction Ekeren until 'De Mieren'.
 
Status 
An approved design of the Opera square is expected in 2011, followed by contractual close in 2012 / early 2013. 

 

Tramline Mortsel - Kontich

Tramline Ekeren, from 'De Mieren' to leugenberg

Tramline Left Bank North

Tramline Borsbeek - Wommelgem

Tramline Sint Bernardsesteenweg
- phase 2: to the border of Hemiksem
- phase 3: extension to the centre of Hemiksem