At the beginning of May 2019, Willemen infra started road works for the redesign of the intersection of the Grote Ring (R71) with the Universiteitslaan in Hasselt. Franki Construct is building a tunnel for public transport under the intersection, which will also be used by the new Spartacus project in the future.

Along the Universiteitslaan and Koning Boudewijnlaan, Willemen Infra has been commissioned by Het Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer [the Agency for Roads and Traffic] and De Lijn to lay a separate lane for public transport. This is to go through a tunnel under the intersection with the Grote Ring. The tunnel will first be used by regular buses, but with minimal modifications, it can be converted for the Spartacus project’s express tram in the future. The bus-stops along the Universiteitslaan are also being renewed and made more accessible.

In addition, changes will be made to the bicycle and pedestrian tunnels under the intersection. The underpasses will become more spacious and get more light. There will be an additional bicycle tunnel on the north side of the intersection, which connects the Japanese garden and the Grenslandhallen. The existing bicycle tunnel under the Universiteitslaan will disappear and be replaced by a completely new bicycle and pedestrian tunnel.

To make way for the tram and bus tunnel, the existing bicycle tunnel, which runs under the Grote Ring on the south side, will be demolished and rebuilt further on. Above ground, the intersections of the Universiteitslaan with the Grote Ring (Gouverneur Verwilghensingel) and with the Trichterheideweg/Via Media will be improved in order to increase road safety for all road users and to ensure traffic continues to move.  To do this, pre-sorting lanes are being extended, separate insert lanes built, and smart traffic lights installed.