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🇧🇪 Belgium /Disasters & Emergencies

Defective Machine Causes 1.5-Hour Traffic Jam on E19 Towards Brussels

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • A defective machine at a construction site on the E19 highway towards Brussels has caused a 1.5-hour traffic jam near Mechelen-Zuid.
  • Overnight roadworks were extended due to the faulty equipment, forcing all traffic onto the emergency lane.
  • Drivers are advised to take the A12 as an alternative, though that route is also experiencing delays due to an accident.

Traffic on the E19 highway heading towards Brussels is severely congested near Mechelen-Zuid, with drivers facing delays of up to 1.5 hours. The holdup is caused by a defective machine at a construction site, which has forced all vehicles onto the emergency lane. Overnight roadworks, initially scheduled for completion by 5 a.m., have been extended due to the equipment failure. The Flemish Traffic Center expressed hope that the road would be cleared soon, but cleanup of signage and materials is still ongoing. Traffic is moving at a crawl from Kontich onwards. For those traveling longer distances from Antwerp, the A12 is recommended as an alternative. However, this route is also experiencing approximately 1-hour delays between Wilrijk and Schelle due to a separate accident. Additionally, a 30-minute queue has formed on the N1 from Kontich to Mechelen as a result of drivers diverting from the E19.

It seems like it won't be long before the road can be cleared.

— Flemish Traffic CenterThe Flemish Traffic Center expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing road clearing efforts.
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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