Intersection Grote Ring-Universiteitslaan - Hasselt

Description 

With the opening of three new bicycle and pedestrian tunnels and the public transport tunnel under the intersection of Universiteitslaan and Grote Ring in Hasselt in mid-2021, the total makeover of this important intersection was a fact. Above ground, the renovated intersection had already been in use since November 2020.

Both the intersection of Grote Ring (R71-Gouverneur Verwilghensingel) and Universiteitslaan, the intersection of Universiteitslaan with Trichterheideweg/Via Media and the infrastructure in between were thoroughly tackled. Lane lanes were lengthened, separate entry lanes provided and smart traffic lights installed. In short, the intersections were improved to increase road safety and allow traffic to flow more smoothly. 366 new trees give the whole area the oxygen it needs. Franki Construct took on the construction of the tunnels, while Willemen Infra took care of the road works.

Along Universiteitslaan and Koning Boudewijnlaan, Willemen Infra laid a separate carriageway for public transport. This will pass under the intersection with the Grote Ring in a tunnel. This tunnel will initially be used by scheduled buses and in the future can be converted for the express trams of the Spartacus project with minimal modifications. Bus stops along University Avenue were also revamped and made more accessible.

Furthermore, the bicycle and pedestrian tunnels under the intersection were modified: they are much more spacious than before and have more light. Also on the north side of the intersection, there is now an additional bicycle tunnel connecting the Grenslandhallen and Kapermolenpark. The bicycle tunnel under University Avenue was replaced by a completely new bicycle and pedestrian tunnel. To make way for the tram and bus tunnel, the cycle tunnel on the south side of the intersection was demolished and rebuilt further down the road.

Willemen Infra is a leading, Belgian road construction company with a regional presence in both Flanders and Wallonia. An important asset is that we have all aspects of the construction process under our own management and thus fully control the execution. Moreover, our team of 1,000 well-trained and experienced employees are willing to work at night and over the weekend to make sure they get everything done in time. In addition, thanks to our own COPRO-certified production and recycling sites, we are one of the leading producers for asphalt and road concrete.

Since 1998 Franki Construct has been part of Willemen Groep, the largest family construction group in Belgium.

 
location 

Project Details

Grote Ring, Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium
Client 
Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer (AWV)
Construction period
2 years 2 months
Start work
03-2019
End of work
05-2021