Annie Cordy Tunnel Explained

Annie Cordy Tunnel
Other Name:Leopold II Tunnel
Location:Brussels, Belgium
Status:Open
Route:R20
Opened:1986
Traffic:Automotive
Toll:No
Length:2534m (8,314feet)
Lanes:4 (per tube)

The Annie Cordy Tunnel (fr|Tunnel Annie Cordy; nl|Annie Cordytunnel), formerly the Leopold II Tunnel (fr|Tunnel Léopold II|link=no; nl|Leopold II-tunnel|link=no), is a traffic tunnel in Brussels, Belgium. The tunnel, under the Boulevard Léopold II/Leopold II-laan, connects the Rogier Tunnel and the Small Ring (Brussels' inner ring road) with the Basilica Tunnel and the A10/E40 via the French: Avenue Charles-Quint|italic=no/Dutch; Flemish: Keizer Karellaan|italic=no. The tunnel is an important arterial road for traffic leaving or entering Brussels. It is the western approach road for Brussels. With a length of 2534m (8,314feet), it is also the longest road tunnel in Belgium.

Renovation and renaming

In 2012, the Brussels-Capital Region started a procedure to renew this tunnel through public-private partnership in the 2014-2018 period and to outsource its maintenance for 25 years.[1] The works were budgeted at €105 million.[2] In 2016, the tunnel was closed several times due to falling debris.

The tunnel was previously named after King Leopold II, the second King of the Belgians. In September 2020, the Brussels Government decided to consult the population about a new name for the tunnel in an effort to increase the number of female-named streets in the city.[3] In March 2021, the results of the public referendum for a new female namesake for the tunnel were announced. It was decided to rename the tunnel after singer Annie Cordy, after planned renovations were completed.[4] [5]

References

50.8624°N 4.3333°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jaren hinder door renovatie Leopold II-tunnel . 2022-05-22 . De Standaard . 21 December 2012 . nl-BE.
  2. Web site: NWS . VRT . 2012-03-29 . Renovatie Leopold II-tunnel goedgekeurd . 2022-05-22 . vrtnws.be . nl.
  3. Web site: NWS . VRT . 2020-09-06 . Brusselaars sturen massaal nieuwe (vrouwen)namen in voor Leopold II-tunnel: in halve dag tijd al 1.500 suggesties . 2022-05-22 . vrtnws.be . nl.
  4. Web site: Leopold II-tunnel wordt Annie Cordytunnel . 2022-05-22 . www.bruzz.be . nl.
  5. Web site: NWS . VRT . 2021-03-08 . Zeg niet langer Leopold II-tunnel: Brusselaars kiezen Annie Cordytunnel als nieuwe naam . 2022-05-22 . vrtnws.be . nl.