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🇧🇪 Belgium /Energy & Infrastructure

More Than 150 Properties to Disappear Along Belgium’s North-South Route as Owners Are Expropriated

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Ongoing story
  • More than 150 properties in Houthalen-Helchteren will be demolished for the reconstruction of the North-South connection, including two tunnels, new bridges and 17 kilometers of cycling infrastructure.
  • Nearly all owners have sold their property or land, but 15 expropriation cases remain in court.
  • Residents and business owners describe years of uncertainty and the emotional cost of leaving homes and businesses behind.

More than 150 properties along the Grote Baan in Houthalen-Helchteren are set to disappear for the reconstruction of the North-South connection. For the people who lived and worked there, the demolition marks the end of years, and in some cases generations, tied to the same place.

I can assure everyone: you do not get rich from an expropriation.

· Husband of Bregje HoogmartensHe described the financial reality of losing property for the road project.

The project will include two tunnels beneath the village centers, new bridges for car traffic and 17 kilometers of cycling infrastructure, including bicycle bridges. One of the tunnels will be built near the homes now standing along the eastern side of the Grote Baan. Demolition is due to begin soon.

Almost all owners have now sold their properties or land, but 15 legal expropriation procedures are still under way. VRT NWS visited four former owners, including residents who had to move with their families and business owners whose companies came to an end.

When my grandfather started the shop here, this was an ordinary road with a row of trees in the middle.

· Erik BloemenBloemen recalled the road’s earlier appearance and the history of his family business.

Erik Bloemen said his grandfather opened a shop on the road when it was still a normal street lined with trees. It later became a four-lane road, a change that initially gave local businesses a boost because customers could easily reach the shops by car. By a decade ago, however, only a fraction of those stores remained, making Bloemen more willing to accept expropriation. He became one of the first owners to sign a voluntary sale agreement.

I was one of the very first owners to sign for a voluntary acquisition.

· Erik BloemenHe explained why he accepted an agreement linked to the expropriation process.

After two years of negotiations, Bloemen reached an agreement with De Werkvennootschap. He still found it painful to leave. “I did not want to leave my business in this way. I never got the chance to end my career as I wanted,” he said. He continues to drive past the property each week, and recently even felt the urge to wash its windows.

I did not want to leave my business in this way. I never got the chance to end my career as I wanted.

· Erik BloemenBloemen described the emotional impact of leaving his former shop.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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