(Temporary Association for Safe Traffic in Flanders, or TV3V), of which Grontmij is a member, is charged with removing the so-called black (dangerous) junctions in Flanders and improving road safety near schools that are situated along busy roads.
These assignments are subsidised by the Vlaams Gewest (the state of Flanders). One example of such a project is the modification of the layout of the N44 junction /Brouwerijstraat and the surrounding area in the municipality of Aalter.
An entire range of measures that supplement and reinforce one another are being taken to improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in a complex spatial environment in which close buildings, schools and primary roads go hand in hand.
The construction of cycle tracks along the Europalaan and Brouwerijstraat roads safeguards against the occurrence of mixed traffic flows in this busy environment. For the N44 (primary road), a tunnel will be constructed for transit traffic, with a two-level roundabout.
Traffic plateaus for the cross streets of the Europalaan, the introduction of a 30 km/h zone and a T-junction for a hooked connection to the N44 are all aimed at forcing traffic to a halt more or less, so as to enable the various flows to cross one another with a much higher degree of safety. The use of various paving materials will alert road users to the altered traffic situation.
A physically separated two-directional cycle track along the N44 will ensure that bikes are no longer hindered by motorised traffic and vice versa. Furthermore, an alternative, safe bicycle route will be constructed between Aalter Brug and the Brouwerijstraat.
Unique: two temporary movable bridges
Unique to this project is the fact that while the work is in progress, two temporary bridges, spanning the work, will be set up for cyclists and pedestrians. These bridges will be moved a few times in the course of the project. They will be equipped with sufficient lighting, and the construction of access roads to these bridges is explicitly included in the work. The bridges will provide a clear overview of the work in progress so that passers-by are directly involved while the area is gradually rendered safer.
Facts
Customer: Vlaams Gewest (Flemish State) – Municipality of Aalter
Partners: Arcadis and Technum
Schedule:
- traffic committees: for 1 year in 2004
- design: January till May 2005
- start execution of work: September 2007
- end execution of work: September 2008
- evaluation: timing yet unknown