Dating back to 1910 the Boulevard du Souverain stands as a testament to Brussels’ urban planning. Its construction was driven by King Leopold II. The Boulevard du Souverain is more than just a road. It’s a journey through time.
Imagine the valley of the Woluwe. The Boulevard du Souverain stretches over four kilometers linking the Avenue de Tervueren to Place Leopold Wiener. It connects Woluwe-Saint-Pierre with Boitsfort. The boulevard aimed to connect Auderghem to the future Avenue de Tervueren. This was to be achieved via a large connecting road. It was to be established in the heart of the Woluwe valley. It would also serve Boitsfort and Uccle.
In 1893 Auderghem seized the opportunity. They used the Avenue de Tervueren project. They pushed for the road to be reconsidered. The Minister of Public Works approved the construction of the new road. Auderghem and Boitsfort acquired the necessary land. They began diverting the Woluwe.
Initially the road was to be 15 meters wide. This was after inspector Victor Besme gave his opinion. The municipality appealed to King Leopold II. They sought his support for the construction of the promised road.
In 1899 a new solution emerged. Entrepreneur Edmond Parmentier was designated as the avenue’s concessionaire. He was delegated expropriation rights and responsibilities. The road’s width increased to 41 meters. There were also 9.50 meter setback zones on each side. The government increased its budget by 50 percent to finance the avenue. This amounted to 1.5 million francs.
Parmentier began work in mid-1901. It suddenly stopped in 1902. The municipality filed numerous complaints. They were addressed to the state. This was due to the detrimental effects. From 1902 to 1906 the site remained silent.
In 1907 Catholic councilor M. Herrmann took office. He summoned M. Parmentier and the Belgian State to court. He obtained expert appointments on several occasions. They found that the boulevard was unfinished. They also confirmed the complete abandonment of the works.
The courts ruled in favor of Auderghem. An amicable agreement was reached. Work resumed in 1909.
The Boulevard du Souverain was inaugurated in 1910. It became an urban architectural jewel. It featured sidewalks of approximately 4 meters. There was a wide 8 meter traffic lane. A 4.50 meter path was reserved for riders. A 7 meter strip was for walkers. There was also a cycle path. A separate site was designated for two tramways. A second roadway was made for cars. In total it had a width of 41 m. Four rows of plane trees were planted. It became Auderghem’s first public road illuminated by electricity.
The Boulevard du Souverain has undergone several transformations. In 2006 the section between Place Leopold Wiener and Hermann-Debroux metro station was redeveloped. A double tram track and a cycle path were added. The road profile was changed. This reduced the speed of cars. The number of lanes was reduced from three to two in both directions. The trees were preserved. This maintained the landscape character.
Later the section between Hermann-Debroux and Avenue de Tervueren was also transformed. The terminus of tram 94 was relocated to the Tram Museum. The cycle path was redeveloped. The next phase of redevelopment involves extending to Roodebeek metro station. The STIB plans to extend to the airport by 2020.
The Boitsfort council chose the name of the boulevard under construction. This highlighted the king’s decisive role. He created important roads around Brussels. On July 14th the name Boulevard du Souverain was unanimously approved. Auderghem agreed.
Today the Boulevard du Souverain is part of Brussels’ third ring of boulevards. Its profile has multiple lanes with traffic lights. This shouldn’t confuse it with highways. It is a testament to Brussels’ commitment to progress. It is also a tribute to its rich history. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of past and present. The Boulevard du Souverain is a living monument to Brussels’ urban evolution.