The municipal council of the City of Antwerp decided on Friday 15 July to take further steps in the realization of the Via Sinjoor. After the transformation of the Operaplein, the Meirbrug and the Scheldt Quays near the Suikerrui are now also being tackled. As a result, pedestrians – should – get one long pedestrian axis from Antwerp-Central Railway Station to Het Steen and the Scheldt Quays.

Meirbrug

The Meirbrug and the surrounding streets will look completely different in a few years. The part that connects the Meir with the Groenplaats via the Boerentoren will be car-free. 

The aim is to turn the 16th-century center of the city into a residential area. This means that only local traffic is still welcome, just think of residents and people heading for public car parks. Motorized traffic will move in one direction from Huidevettersstraat to Kammenstraat. The through traffic will move via the tunnels under the Operaplein or via the quays.

This reconstruction concerns both supralocal and local streets and is partly financed by the city and partly by the District of Antwerp. The preliminary draft is still on the agenda of the district council in mid-August.

Deepened Kaaiweg

The Via Sinjoor will continue from the Grote Markt along the Suikerrui to Het Steen, with a free passage over the Scheldt Quays. Car traffic and fast bicycle traffic along the Scheldt Quays goes underground, along a sunken Kaaiweg. The entrance to the Grote Markt car park, which causes a lot of traffic nuisance, also goes underground. A bicycle parking with 500 places will be built into the short tunnel.

“Both interventions separate pedestrian flows, cyclists and car traffic, making the city center safer and more attractive for everyone”, the press release says.

You can be assured the opposition parties will disagree. 

On the look of Antwerp

• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Scheldekaaien or Scheldt Quays.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Zurenborg.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Cogels-Osylei between Berchem and Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighbourhood.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | De Gerlachekaai at the Scheldt.
• AREAS OF ANTWERP | Sint-Andriesplein.
• ANTWERP | Part of Scheldepark / Schipperspark / Zuidpark at Gedempte Zuiderdokken now open.
• ANTWERP | Looking for Linkeroever Railway Station.
• ANTWERP | Renovation of Scheldt Quays between Sint-Andries and ‘t Zuid.
• ANTWERP | Final design revealed for Scheldt Quays at Nieuw Zuid.
• ANTWERP | 2023-2024 Park Gedempte Zuiderdokken to have grass and water.
• ANTWERP | City forest, orchard and pond for Nieuw Zuid Scheldt Quays by 2024.
• ANTWERP | Groenplaats to become green again.
• Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
• Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
• Redesigning Antwerp’s central Scheldt Quays between Noorderterras and Zuiderterras.
• Borsbeek to become Antwerp’s 10th district.
• Antwerp’s Droogdokkensite redeveloped into maritime experience area.
• VIDEO | The renovation of Antwerp City Hall.
• Antwerp-Central Railway Station to get new facade lights.
• Antwerp’s renewed Scheldt Quays at Loodswezen to get World War II victims memorial.
• ANTWERP | Bonapartedok to become centre for water sports and recreation.
• PHOTOS | Het Steen, Antwerp’s new Visitor Centre.
• VIDEO | Walking the future Spoorpark between Zurenborg (Antwerp) and Borgerhout.
• 5 spots in Antwerp to soak up the sun for free.
• VIDEO | Sunset over Antwerp’s Scheldt river.
• Antwerp to be car-free by 2024?.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Antwerp landmark Boerentoren to become Art & Culture Tower by 2027.
• Antwerp to get a pedestrian and cyclist bridge over the Scheldt.
• VIDEO | Bicycle ramp for Parkbrug at Park Spoor Noord / ‘t Eilandje in Antwerp opened.
• VIDEO | Antwerp researching old castle at Noorderterras.
• VIDEO | Pedestrian bridge in Antwerp’s Stadspark restored.
• Antwerp’s Rubens House to have new visitor centre by 2024.
• ANTWERP | Rubens House to close on 9 January 2023 and reopen in 2027.
• Noorderterras to become Kaailine, Antwerp’s New York-inspired High Line.
• Antwerp’s City Theatre Stadsschouwburg to be demolished, new playhouse elsewhere.