Brussels fails to meet spending targets on maintaining its roads
The Brussels region is falling well below its own spending targets on resurfacing its roads, De Standaard reports.
To keep the more than 800km of regional roads in good condition, at least 10 per cent must be resurfaced each year. This structural programme requires an annual budget of approximately 10 million euros.
Around 11 million euros was spent in 2022 on maintaining the drivable part of regional roads – excluding footpaths and cycle paths – but the figure fell to 6.4 million in 2023 and 3.2 million in 2024. This year there will be little improvement, with an expected spend of around 4 million euros.
"This trend is part of a broader context of budgetary constraints, which do not allow us to fully meet all the maintenance needs of the regional road network"
Elke Van den Brandt of Groen, Brussels minister for Mobility and Public Works, provided the figures in response to a parliamentary question from MP Benjamin Dalle of CD&V.
“Compared to 2022, the available resources have been reduced in real and structural terms,” she said. “This downward trend is part of a broader context of budgetary constraints, which do not allow us to fully meet all the maintenance needs of the regional road network.”
Targeted interventions on small sections of road surface that are particularly problematic will continue. However, due to the limited budget, the reconstruction of entire sections of road surface will be postponed.
Van den Brandt said the ongoing government formation in Brussels “certainly has an impact on the situation”. The region has been without a government since the elections of June 2024.
Belgium’s three regions are primarily responsible for major and regional roads. Municipalities are responsible for maintenance of local streets, including resurfacing, pothole repairs, signage and drainage.
Cars in Brussels © PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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