The Cinquantenaire tunnel in Brussels to undergo major renovation

The Cinquantenaire Tunnel is iconic and central to the city. Close to the European Institutions, it has been part of the Brussels landscape since the 1970’s. Technically, it is a two ways tunnel of 630 meters long, starting from the Square de Mérode and going towards the centre of the city with an opening in the middle of the famous “Cinquantenaire” parc .

The Brussels-Capital Region has developed in the past a Multiannual Investment Programme (MIP) to carefully plan the renovation of the majority of its tunnels.

The renovation of the Cinquantenaire tunnel is a concrete application of the MIP and will focus both on structural elements as well as tunnel equipment aspects.

Sustainability is key to this major renovation in the sense that it is our goal to optimise the impact of the structure on its environment. Particular attention will be paid to the materials selected in order to design energy-saving systems such as the use of LED technology for lighting and the possibility to implement of a vegetal wall experiment on part of the retaining walls of the KENNEDY trench in order to create a visual continuity with the Cinquantenaire Park and effectively mitigate air pollution in the parc.

Finally, this renovation has to also positively impact the economy and society. This is why it is necessary to anticipate and take all measures to limit disruption on road traffic. The consortium will also take into account the operating and maintenance costs of the technical solutions selected for the project.

“The Brussels region has made tremendous efforts over the past years to better balance the use of public space for transport. There is more space for people and sustainable transport modes. The road traffic is more and more concentrated on major axis and, preferably underground, such as the tunnel cinquantenaire.

As an habitant of Brussels, I see 3 positive outcome during and after the execution of the project:

• Mitigation of air pollution resulting from thermal vehicles, especially in the vicinity of the “parc du cinquantenaire”
• Enhanced security of traffic
• Mitigation of traffic disruption during the renovation works”

Alexandre Vanheule, Business Development & Sales Director - URBAN