R4WO works to be completed nine months ahead of schedule

From 25 April 2030, users will be able to travel on an upgraded R4 West and R4 East, featuring conflict-free junctions and safe, comfortable cycling connections. Completion was initially scheduled for 25 January 2031, but BRAVO4, the Belgian consortium responsible for the works, has committed to bringing this date forward by nine months. The benefits are already noticeable during construction. At many locations, traffic is flowing more smoothly than before the works began. By phasing the works and keeping as much of the existing road capacity open as possible, disruption remains limited. This approach will be maintained despite the accelerated schedule.

Final milestones

The final major milestones are also the project’s most complex and substantial components. On the R4 West, these include the tunnel beneath the Zeeschipstraat–Evergemsesteenweg interchange and the underpass in Rieme. On the R4 East, they include the new Wachtebeke interchange near ArcelorMittal and the new road crossing over the Moervaart. The Zeeschipstraat–Evergemsesteenweg interchange will be completed last—albeit nine months earlier than planned.

Smooth cooperation accelerates the works

The acceleration has been made possible, among other things, by strong cooperation with the municipalities, police, port companies and other public services. Feedback from local residents and R4 users is also being taken into account. This has helped create broad support for the project. The R4WO works are being delivered through a so-called DBFM contract (Design, Build, Finance, Maintain). This means that the same private partner is responsible for designing, constructing, financing and maintaining the road. As a result, there are few handover moments between contractors and coordination can proceed smoothly. The two Belgian construction companies in the consortium, BESIX Group and Stadsbader, bring the required expertise to the project. The shorter delivery period offers a double benefit: disruption will be shorter, while the refinancing of the project will save the government several million euros.

New financial arrangements

A higher pace of construction requires new financial arrangements. De Werkvennootschap and the private partners—alongside the construction companies mentioned above, infrastructure investors EPICo, I4B – The Belgian Infrastructure Fund and RID PPP (Rebel and Aberdeen)—formalised these arrangements today. As a result, construction companies will be paid sooner for work they complete earlier. Flanders only pays for a road once it is available for use, rather than for hours worked: earlier completion therefore means earlier results, without a higher bill. The shorter delivery period will save the government several million euros.