Maarkedal and Ronse roadworks delayed until at least 2028 due to expropriations

Residents and officials in Maarkedal and Ronse face a significant delay for crucial roadworks on the Ommegangstraat (N425). The project, vital for improving traffic flow, will not commence before 2028. This postponement is primarily due to the extensive process of acquiring land, with more than 80 expropriations still pending.

Joris Nachtergaele, the mayor of Maarkedal, expressed frustration with the pace of the project. He emphasized the urgency of the Ommegangstraat upgrades, stating, "This must move forward faster." Nachtergaele asserted that the regional road is a more pressing concern for his municipality than the N60 in Ronse, underscoring the local impact of the delay.

The protracted timeline for expropriations illustrates the bureaucratic hurdles that can impede essential infrastructure development. The need for such a large number of land acquisitions points to the complexity of the route and the challenges in securing the necessary rights-of-way. The delay will likely continue to affect local traffic and commerce in the interim.

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This must move forward faster. For us, that regional road is more urgent than the N60 in Ronse.