Imagine speeding along the A4 highway. You are high above the ground. Below you is a bustling Brussels neighborhood. That’s thanks to the Herrmann-Debroux viaduct.
This impressive structure is more than just a road. It’s a story of urban planning, political compromise, and a changing vision for Brussels. The Herrmann-Debroux viaduct stretches 900 meters. It carries the A4 highway. The A4 connects Brussels to Luxembourg. The viaduct crosses the R22. This is also known as the Vorstlaan. The viaduct is named after Carl Herrmann-Debroux. He was a former mayor of Auderghem.
The idea for urban highways dates back to the 1950s. Minister Jos De Saeger brought them to life in the 1960s. He believed these highways were essential. They would allow quick access to the city center by car. By the late 1960s, the A4 had reached the Rood Klooster. Construction of the viaduct began after 1970. The viaduct was completed in 1973. The road west of the viaduct was built on the old track bed. This track used to be railway line 160 to Tervuren.
Interestingly, the Belgian state never applied for a building permit. The municipality filed a report. However, they did not take the case to court. The state conceded by not extending the viaduct. Original plans envisioned extending the road. It would have gone over the Delta site. It would have followed railway line 161 to the Middenring. This is also known as the R21 and the Leopoldswijk. Strong opposition from residents and local governments stopped this plan. In 1975, Minister Jean Defraigne abandoned the idea of urban highways. The road ends abruptly before railway line 26 and the Delta site.
Parallel to the viaduct, at ground level, runs the Herrmann-Debrouxlaan. This avenue has intersections with the Waversesteenweg. It also intersects with the Vorstlaan.
Below the Herrmann-Debroux viaduct is another point of interest. In 1985, the Herrmann-Debroux metro station opened. This station serves as the eastern terminus of metro line 5.
Since 2007, there have been plans to demolish the Herrmann-Debroux viaduct. This would only be feasible once the Regional Express Network is fully operational. The network has neighboring stops at Delta, Watermaal, and Arcaden. The government initially planned to decide the viaduct’s future in 2015. In 2016, the government announced its intention to demolish the viaduct. However, they want to finalize the Delta site plan first.
In the fall of 2017, serious concrete damage was discovered on the viaduct. This led to its closure for several days.
The Herrmann-Debroux viaduct stands as a testament to changing urban planning philosophies. It also reflects the ongoing debate. Should we prioritize car traffic or public spaces? Its story is etched in the concrete. It influences the daily lives of Brussels residents. As discussions about its future continue, the Herrmann-Debroux viaduct remains a significant landmark. It represents a pivotal moment in the city’s development.