Brussels roundabout overhaul sparks fears of 'catastrophe'

A major infrastructure project planned for Brussels' Meiser area has sparked intense local opposition, with critics warning it will lead to "a catastrophe." The Brussels regional government has given the green light to replace the existing Meiser roundabout with a double intersection, a project initiated under the previous administration.

Despite the government's approval and the issuance of construction permits, local officials and residents are voicing strong concerns. Municipal councilors from the Schaerbeek municipality, whose parties are part of the regional government, are particularly critical. They argue that the proposed changes will create significant traffic bottlenecks, citing issues such as dead-end streets, poorly designed traffic lights, and the elimination of direct access to major roads.

Proponents of the project, led by regional minister Elke Van den Brandt, assert that the new design, slated for completion by 2027, will finally resolve "60 years of Misery Square." They dismiss alternative proposals, such as a tunnel, as prohibitively expensive, estimating the cost at around 200 million euros.

However, opposition councilors like Georges Verzin are adamant that the current plan is flawed and will exacerbate existing traffic problems. They advocate for tunnel solutions, which they believe are the only way to permanently address the mobility issues at Meiser. The debate highlights a deep divide over how to manage traffic flow and improve urban infrastructure in the Belgian capital.