Herrmann-Debroux viaduct 'safe to reopen on Thursday'

The Herrmann-Debroux motorway viaduct is expected to reopen on Thursday afternoon after a preventative five-day closure that led to major traffic delays.

La Dernière Heure reports that a structural report on the 40-year-old stretch of road has concluded that it is safe to reopen, despite "weaknesses" being found late last week that led to the viaduct's closure on Saturday.

Experts conducted a chemical analysis of the concrete on a "problematic" 10-metre section of the road, and a full structural analysis of the viaduct overall.

The paper says the viaduct could have reopened in time for the Thursday morning rush, but Bruxelles-Mobilité still needs to remove temporary road markings and signs to avoid driver confusion or accidents. An official announcement on the reopening is expected from the Brussels government early on Thursday.

Extra TEC buses will continue to run all day on Thursday between Louvain-la-Neuve, Wavre and Herrmann-Debroux and Roodebeek metro stations.