Barrière de Saint-Gilles/Bareel van Sint-Gillis and avenue du Parc/Parklaan

In their current state, the tracks around the Barrière/Bareel intersection are exposed to important deterioration factors, causing trams to drastically slow down when approaching them. STIB-MIVB aims to improve tram traffic at the intersection and therefore has developed, in collaboration with Brussels Mobility, a track renewal project, which has now evolved into a complete renovation of the Barrière de Saint-Gilles/Bareel van Sint-Gillis. As a result, the area will be more pleasant and greener.

La Porteuse d'eau/Waterdraagster, a symbol of both the Barrière/Bareel and municipality of Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis, will be slightly moved from its current location.

Around the statue, the focus will be on improving the public transport offer by making the tram traffic smoother and optimising stop areas according to the latest accessibility standards (PRM). As a result, connections will be smoother and faster. In addition to enhancing public transport, all types of mobility at the intersection will be improved and made more pleasant, particularly with the introduction of planted areas.

All renovations have been designed to provide everyone with a high-quality public space.

• Trams will no longer circle the intersection but will pass directly through it, improving traffic flow through rue Th. Verhaegen/Th. Verhaegenstraat and avenue du Parc/Parklaan to connect directly with avenue P. Dejaer/P. Dejaerlaan. Moreover, a roundabout will be added to make tram, bus and bike traffic smoother.
• The ‘Barrière/Bareel’ stops will be grouped at the end of avenue Paul Dejaer/Paul Dejaerlaan to make connections faster and safer (one shared stop for all lines heading towards Louise/Louiza).
• Pavements and crossings will be renovated to make pedestrian traffic safer and more enjoyable.
• Public spaces will be greened, particularly with the extension of pavements into the middle of the intersection (kerb extensions), while maintaining visibility between access points to the intersection by using low vegetation.
• Traffic flow around the intersection will be reconfigured as part of the municipal traffic plan. Access to the intersection from avenue du Parc/Parklaan will no longer be possible but the reverse direction will still be allowed (see mobility plan below and link)

Avenue du Parc/Parklaan

Within the scope of the avenue du Roi/Koningslaan urban renewal contract, Brussels Mobility, along with STIB-MIVB, Brussels Environment, and the municipalities of Forest/Vorst and Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis, has come up with a plan to completely redevelop avenue du Parc/Parklaan. This plan addresses two major issues. Firstly, traffic on this key road has become increasingly problematic for all modes of transport. Secondly, the avenue's steep slope towards parc de Forest/park van Vorst regularly leads to flooding during heavy rainfall.

To address these challenges, the Region is planning to implement an integrated rainwater management system to increase the proportion of permeable surfaces on the avenue and in the planted areas, which will improve water absorption.

Additionally, the plan involves improving the traffic flow across all modes of transport, and enhancing the quality of public space, making it significantly more natural and greener.

• The stops Combaz and Rochefort will be redeveloped with special attention to accessibility for people with reduced mobility
• A dedicated tram lane will be created between the roundabout Rochefort and rue de la Perche/Wipstraat
• Pavements and pedestrian crossings will be renovated and made safer.
• Rain gardens will be created to collect rainwater through slight slopes directing runoff towards them. The water will be retained in these soil volumes by the roots of specific plants that will be planted there. These green swales will also enhance the street's appeal
• Trees will be planted throughout the avenue
• A separate bike lane will be created between the roundabout Rochefort and the intersection with rue de Bosnie/Bosniëstraat