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 September 2011 the Flemish Government decided to group together the following public transport projects in BRABO 2:

Leien (2nd fase)
 
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 second phase (Noorderleien), runs from the intersection with Maria-Theresialei to the Noorderplaats.  This phase also includes the complete rebuilding of the Opera square.

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. 


Eilandje (Little island)
Extension of tramlines to the Londonstraat, Amsterdamstraat and Rijnkaai (between Sint-Pietersvliet and Amsterdamstraat) and to the Kattendijkdok-Oostkaai - Mexicostraat.

Ekeren 
Extension of tramline from the Noorderplaats to the north of Antwerp direction Ekeren until 'De Mieren'.

Brusselse straat
Additional infrastructure for a tramline between Bolivarplaats and Brederodestraat through the Brusselse straat.

 

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