Funding Discrepancies Threaten Schuman Roundabout Renovation
The Schuman roundabout renovation, ongoing since fall 2023, may be jeopardized due to escalating costs and a significant funding shortfall, a spokesperson for the Beliris agency announced. “We are nearing this date, the point of no return really … and since we have not received a reply, we have to assume the funding has not been found,” they stated, reports 24brussels.
The project, initially slated for completion by next summer, has seen its costs surge, particularly due to the proposed canopy designed to enhance the pedestrian-centric area. This increase has created a €3 million shortfall that the Brussels government is expected to address.
In a letter to the Brussels government, Beliris indicated it would move forward without the canopy, although this decision could result in further financial implications. The caretaker government sought EU funding in June to complete the roundabout, clearly stating the budget constraints preventing the canopy’s inclusion.
Brussels is currently navigating a substantial budget deficit alongside political stagnation, with coalition negotiations at a standstill since the elections in June 2024. This situation exacerbates the difficulties faced by city leaders in securing the necessary funding for critical infrastructure projects.
As of publication, no response has been received from key officials, including Brussels’ Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, Minister of European Relations and Urban Planning Ans Persoons, mobility chief Elke Van den Brandt, and Interior Minister Bernard Quintin, all of whom oversee Beliris and hold crucial roles in addressing the funding crisis.
