From next Monday, May 11, new opening hours will apply to most rush-hour lanes on the Flemish highways. The Flemish Traffic Center is adjusting these because the existing opening hours no longer correspond to the real traffic volume due to the evolution of traffic.
Ann De Nil
Journalist at HLN
Source: Belga
Flanders currently has nine rush-hour lanes. This is a lane that is temporarily opened at busy times to provide extra space for traffic. Outside opening hours it functions as a hard shoulder. A green arrow or a displayed maximum speed on the dynamic lane signaling above the road means that road users are allowed to use the rush-hour lane.
Considerably busier
The Traffic Center works with fixed opening hours per rush hour lane. However, since the introduction of the very first rush hour lane in 2011, traffic on many Flemish highways has become considerably busier. An update of the opening hours was therefore necessary, the Traffic Center said in a press release on Thursday.
Where are the biggest changes?
The biggest changes will be implemented on the rush-hour lane on the E313 from Antwerp East to Ranst. It will have an additional 44.5 opening hours every week. The rush-hour lane will now be permanently open on weekdays during the day between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Road users can also use the rush-hour lane on Saturdays, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
The rush hour lane on the E17 from De Pinte to Zwijnaarde is now open 12 hours longer every week. Until now, it was only in use on weekday mornings between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., but from now on it will also be open from Monday to Thursday during the evening rush hour, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Some rush-hour lanes have different opening hours depending on the day. For example, the rush-hour lane on the E40 from Sterrebeek to Bertem From now on it will be open between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, but from 12 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. The same principle applies to the rush-hour lane on the E314 from Wilsele to Aarschotalthough it closes at 7 p.m.
Flexibility
The traffic controllers in the Traffic Center continuously monitor the situation on the rush hour lanes. In addition to the fixed opening hours, they can intervene flexibly at any time and open an additional rush-hour lane in the event of unexpected disruption, such as an accident.