Boulevard Adolphe Max pedestrian improvements inaugurated

The pedestrian area on Boulevard Adolphe Max in Brussels is finally clear of construction vehicles and temporary barriers following a year’s worth of renovation works.

Boulevard Adolphe Max, which was inaugurated in 1871 and re-laid in 1976, had seriously deteriorated. The poor condition of its roads and pavements was one reason it was targeted for refurbishment.

“This redevelopment aims to provide a commercial environment that is better connected to the pedestrian zone and the Gare du Nord-Rogier axis,” said Fabian Maingain, Brussels alderman for economic affairs.

“It offers an improved setting for hotels, new terrace areas for catering businesses, and a pedestrian shopping link parallel to the Rue Neuve.”

Boasting wider pavements, flowerbeds, 36 trees and new street furniture, pedestrians can now go between Place De Brouckère to Place Rogier while traversing a safe, green space.

“With all the new plants, you feel like you can breathe, you feel freer,” one pedestrian told RTBF.

Car traffic is now almost non-existent in the area and other pedestrians remarked that the peace and quiet was a welcome change, along with fewer crowds than, for example, the Bourse pedestrian area.

“The redevelopment of Boulevard Adolphe Max is perfectly in line with our pedestrianisation and city centre enhancement project, while at the same time highlighting the prestige of this artery and its remarkable heritage,” said Brussels mayor Philippe Close.

There are not many shops yet, but those doing business in the area hope that will change now that the construction is finished.

Calling it “one of the most beautiful boulevards in the city centre”, one shop owner said his hope is that the area “will stay clean and become safe again, especially at night”.