Antwerp will remain accessible this autumn despite several major infrastructure projects taking place simultaneously across the city and surrounding region.
From Noorderlaan to the Antwerp Ring, strategic and essential works will be carried out at the same time. To limit disruption, mobility partners including the City of Antwerp, Lantis, the Roads and Traffic Agency (Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer, AWV), De Vlaamse Waterweg, De Lijn, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and NMBS / SNCB are closely coordinating their planning, execution and communications.
Where possible, works are being staggered, combined or made to overlap. The aim is to limit disruption and ensure that travellers, residents and businesses can continue to make maximum use of available alternatives.
Works coordinated across the region
The Antwerp region is in the midst of construction of the Oosterweel project. At the same time, other infrastructure works are needed to maintain roads and improve accessibility, road safety and the long-term liveability of the port and wider region.
The partners are following three main principles: spreading works intelligently to avoid putting crucial transport routes under pressure at the same time; combining road, utility and public transport works where possible; and coordinating communications so that up-to-date information and alternatives are available in one place.
Traffic information and alternative routes are available through Slim naar Antwerpen (Smart Ways to Antwerp), while alternative mobility measures for major works are monitored and adjusted where necessary.
Antwerp Mobility Alderman Koen Kennis (N-VA) said: “Precisely because so many works are taking place at the same time, we are coordinating everything carefully with all our partners: we plan together in advance, coordinate the execution and spread or combine works wherever possible. Through Slim naar Antwerpen, we also bring together all current information on disruption and alternatives in one place. This way, we can keep Antwerp accessible together.”
Key works in autumn 2026: Northern Antwerp and the port
Several projects will converge in northern Antwerp this autumn. AWV is renewing key port roads, Fluvius is installing a district heating network and Lantis is continuing work on the Oosterweel connection.
Because these roads are crucial to access to the port, the partners are closely coordinating their schedules. Works have been deliberately phased, temporarily suspended or aligned with other major traffic interventions, such as the summer closure of Groenendaallaan.
Noorderlaan
Following the summer closure of Groenendaallaan, renewal works on Noorderlaan will resume. AWV’s structural road works are being combined with Fluvius’s installation of a district heating network.
The entire road structure, several junctions and cycle crossings will be renewed. Combining underground and surface works is intended to prevent additional disruption in the future.
From 26 August, work will also take place on Noorderlaan at the junction with Ekersesteenweg, with this phase continuing until spring 2027.
From 1 September until mid-October, the work zone will expand to include both the Luithagen-Haven junction and Noorderlaan. Unlike in previous phases, exit 16 Ekeren on the A12, for traffic travelling from the Netherlands towards the port, will remain open.
Luithagen-Haven will remain accessible from both the motorway and the port, while traffic from Ekersesteenweg will still be able to access the A12. Noorderlaan will, however, once again be closed towards the port. Traffic will be diverted via Korte Wielenstraat and Vosseschijnstraat.
A new work zone will start on Noorderlaan on 21 September. AWV will carry out renewal works between Muisbroeklaan and Ordamstraat. Traffic will continue to be possible using one lane in each direction.
Scheldelaan
The structural renewal of Scheldelaan is also being coordinated with other port works by Lantis, Fluxys and Port of Antwerp-Bruges. A diversion for heavy traffic will apply from the end of August.
E19/A12 towards the Netherlands
Asphalt works will take place at the junction at Antwerp-North during the weekend of 4 September. The works will deliberately be carried out at night to minimise disruption.
Beverentunnel
The Beverentunnel on the R2 will be closed in both directions from Friday evening, 11 September, until Monday morning, 14 September, for technical works.
The timing has been coordinated with Oosterweel weekend works to avoid simultaneous disruption on the R1 and R2 as far as possible.
Vosseschijnstraat
The final phase of works between Michiganstraat and Korte Wielenstraat will take place from 14 to 20 September. The timing has been coordinated with the works on Noorderlaan to maintain accessibility as far as possible. Local traffic will remain possible throughout.
Kastelweg
Kastelweg will be closed for one weekend at the end of October. Carrying out the works over a weekend will limit the impact on commercial traffic.
Eastern Antwerp and the city centre
Several projects around Noordersingel are also being coordinated. The City of Antwerp and De Lijn are combining works on tram tracks, roads, lighting and utility infrastructure wherever possible.
At the same time, Lantis is continuing construction of the Oosterweel connection. Since these projects cannot be planned independently, the partners are closely coordinating their phases and continuously looking for ways to reduce disruption.
Oosterweel connection
The Oosterweel project will make further progress this autumn with new sections of the Bypass, the temporary motorway running alongside the Antwerp Ring, being brought into use.
As with previous traffic changes, as much work as possible will be carried out during weekends, at night and during quieter traffic periods. Other major infrastructure works and events will also be taken into account.
Key milestones include the opening of the new Deurne exit, for traffic from Ghent and Brussels, via an underpass during the weekend of 18–21 September.
New sections of the Bypass will enter service during the weekends of 25–28 September, with an extension of the existing Bypass, and 28–29 November, when the northern section from the Netherlands towards Ghent is scheduled to open.
The demolition of the Merksem viaduct will also continue, requiring temporary closures of Schijnpoortweg and Groenendaallaan.
Metro tunnel renovation
De Lijn will continue renovating the metro tunnel between Linkeroever and Antwerp-Central Railway Station. An extensive range of alternatives will remain available to passengers, with these measures being monitored and adjusted where necessary.
Halenstraat and Schijnpoortweg
The Halenstraat and Schijnpoortweg area and its associated infrastructure will be renewed until April 2027. The City of Antwerp and De Lijn are combining works on tram tracks, platforms, utility lines and roads.
Check your route before setting off
The region’s investments in recent years have created a range of alternatives for travellers. Road users are encouraged to use these options, including public transport, shared bikes or a combination with a park-and-ride facility.
Logistics companies and freight operators are encouraged to schedule deliveries outside peak hours where possible or use the designated diversion corridors.
Travellers can check the Slim naar Antwerpen route planner before setting off. It combines information on current works, diversions and available alternatives to provide up-to-date multimodal travel advice.
