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🇧🇪 Belgium /Energy & Infrastructure

Belgian coast road to be narrowed for cycle highway and dunes

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The coastal road between Ostend and Zeebrugge in Belgium will undergo a major redesign over the next decade.
  • The plan includes creating a full-fledged cycle highway and dedicating a significant portion of the road to dunes.
  • A tunnel in the center of De Haan has been ruled out, with local officials describing the compromise as "give and take."

The coastal road connecting Ostend and Zeebrugge in Belgium is set for a significant transformation over the coming decade. Municipalities, the province, and the Flemish region have jointly decided on a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the popular route.

A key feature of the redesign is the creation of a dedicated, high-quality cycle highway along the Koninklijke Baan. Simultaneously, a substantial section of the existing roadway will be repurposed to expand dune areas, enhancing the natural landscape. This approach aims to balance infrastructure needs with environmental preservation.

Notably, plans for a tunnel through the center of De Haan have been abandoned. Wilfried Vandaele, the mayor of De Haan, acknowledged the compromise involved in the final plan. "We are satisfied, the plan is not ideal but it is give and take," he stated, reflecting a sentiment of pragmatic agreement among stakeholders.

The project signifies a shift towards prioritizing sustainable transport and ecological restoration along the Belgian coast. The redevelopment is expected to improve cycling infrastructure while also contributing to the natural beauty and resilience of the coastal environment.

We are satisfied, the plan is not ideal but it is give and take.

— Wilfried VandaeleMayor of De Haan, commenting on the compromise reached for the coastal road redesign.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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