2023-12-13 15:35:00
From this Thursday morning, the small village of Assenois (Bertrix) will regain a certain tranquility. In fact, the two level crossings located at rue des Écoles and rue Croix Dominique will be permanently closed. Road users will now have to use the brand new bridge which overlooks the railway line. The new structure is located between the villages of Glaumont and Assenois. For Mayor Mathieu Rossignol, the closure of the level crossings is excellent news. “First in terms of safety since we know that accidents are frequent at these level crossings, he underlines. Secondly, this allows us to find a certain tranquility in the neighborhood, particularly around the village school. C This was also a request from local residents. In the near future, we would like to create a path for pedestrians via a private plot. This will avoid a detour for the children of Glaumont going to the Assenois school.”
On Bertrix, all that now remains is the removal of the level crossings in Rossart and the city center. “For the latter, discussions are well advanced with Infrabel,” specifies the mayor.
The Assenois project, initiated in 2022 by Infrabel, aims to strengthen safety by eliminating intersections between rail and road. It cost the Belgian rail infrastructure manager more than €2.5 million.
Level crossings dismantled at the end of January
Although the bridge will be accessible from this Thursday morning, finishing work will need to be carried out next spring. “No choice with this weather,” says Frédéric Sacré, Infrabel spokesperson. In the meantime, the speed will be limited to 30 km/h and road markings will be absent.”
On a technical level, note that the bridge has a span of 12.5 meters and was built taking advantage of the relief, which made it possible to limit earthworks and fit it harmoniously into its environment. Equipped with two sidewalks, it is connected to a new road built in collaboration with the Public Service of Wallonia (SPW) and to be managed by the Walloon Region. For local traffic, the detour caused by the new bridge is limited to around 250 meters. “The equipment of the two crossings will be dismantled at the end of January but their crossing will be prohibited from Thursday, specifies Frédéric Sacré. On Bertrix, there therefore remain two level crossings to be removed. In theory, the next one will be located in the center of Bertrix, where another bridge should be built. But this file is more complex, the level crossing being located in an urban area.” Since 2005, 442 level crossings have been removed in the country.
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