Bus lane plans canceled in Kessel-Lo; trees and parking to remain

Plans for a dedicated bus lane on the Diestsesteenweg in Kessel-Lo have been scrapped, preserving existing parking spaces and trees along the route. The decision comes after significant local protest against the initial proposal, which was part of a larger effort to manage traffic congestion in the area.

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The 2 intersections there will be reworked into 1 intersection.

The "Kop van Kessel-Lo" intersection has long been a source of frustration for drivers. To improve traffic flow, the city of Leuven and the Agency for Roads and Traffic (AWV) had earlier this year revealed plans for a major redesign. However, following consultations with the local community, these plans have been modified.

Instead of a bus lane, the focus will shift to reconfiguring the intersections of Diestsesteenweg with Martelarenlaan and Leuvensestraat. City officials and AWV state that merging these two intersections into a single, four-armed junction will significantly enhance traffic movement. The new intersection will feature additional and longer turning lanes, along with smart traffic lights that adapt to real-time traffic conditions.

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This solution takes into account the reality on the ground, after the concerns of the neighborhood were insufficiently heard by the city administration.

The opposition party N-VA Leuven expressed satisfaction with the revised plan, crediting Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder and AWV for considering local concerns. However, Alderman Dirk Vansina defended the process, stating it was a standard participatory approach where community feedback was heard. He asserted that the new plan strikes a balance between the neighborhood's livability concerns and AWV's need for traffic flow.

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We followed a very normal participatory process, where we listened to the concerns of the neighborhood.

The AWV is set to begin a study for the modifications in 2027, with the design phase to follow. The exact timeline for the start of construction remains unknown.

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This new plan strikes a perfect balance between the concerns of the neighborhood about livability, and those of AWV about traffic flow. It fully supports this and is satisfied with the decision.