RoadworksFlanders
Traffic rules
Flanders
35. Roadworks
Roadworks are construction, maintenance, repair or inspection activities carried out on or beside a road. They may temporarily change the road layout, lane widths, speed limits, priority, permitted directions and facilities for pedestrians or cyclists.
Drivers must follow the temporary signs, traffic lights, barriers, road markings and instructions from authorised personnel. They should reduce speed, increase their following distance and remain prepared for narrow lanes, stopped traffic, workers, machinery and sudden changes in the route.
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Which Belgian sign warns of roadworks?
Traffic sign A31 warns that roadworks are being carried out on or beside the public road.
Warning for roadworks.
Signal routier A31 • Travaux.
Verkeersbord A31 • Werken.
Does Belgian sign A31 impose a speed limit?
No. A31 is a warning sign. A temporary C43 sign or another applicable rule establishes the maximum speed.
Must you reduce speed after A31?
Yes, when necessary. Drivers must adapt their speed to the temporary layout, traffic, workers, machinery, visibility and condition of the road.
Are temporary Belgian traffic signs binding?
Yes. Lawfully placed temporary priority, prohibition, mandatory-direction, speed and parking signs must be obeyed.
May roadworks begin before the required signs are installed?
No. The applicable Belgian roadworks-signalling rules require the necessary signalling to be installed before the work begins.
Must roadworks signs remain visible?
Yes. Worksite signalling must be maintained so that it remains clean, recognisable and effective throughout the works.
Which markings should you follow at current Belgian roadworks?
Temporary orange longitudinal markings or orange road studs may guide traffic through the works. They have the same meaning as corresponding continuous or broken white lane lines.
What happens to conflicting white lane markings?
The temporary orange markings make the white longitudinal markings at the same location invalid. Follow the temporary orange route.
May you cross a continuous orange line?
No. A continuous orange line has the same meaning as a continuous white line and may not be crossed.
May you cross a broken orange line?
It has the same meaning as a broken white line and may be crossed only for legally permitted movements such as changing lanes or overtaking where safe.
Must you obey temporary traffic lights?
Yes. A red light prohibits passing the stop line or, where there is no line, the signal itself.
What does a fixed orange-yellow light mean?
You must stop unless you are already so close that stopping safely is no longer possible. If you continue, you may not endanger other road users.
May temporary lights allow alternating traffic?
Yes. They may control one direction at a time through a narrow or single-lane section.
Must you obey a Belgian worksite supervisor?
Yes. Road users must follow indications given by an authorised worksite supervisor to protect personnel working on the public road.
How may a worksite supervisor stop traffic?
The supervisor uses a hand-held disc displaying traffic sign C3. Road users must stop when directed.
Do police instructions take precedence?
Yes. Orders from competent authorised persons take precedence over traffic lights, signs, markings and ordinary traffic rules.
What if your lane ends at Belgian roadworks?
Observe the lane-reduction signs and markings. In flowing traffic, changing lanes is a manoeuvre and you must give way to drivers already using the target lane.
When does zipper merging apply?
It applies during strongly slowed traffic when a lane ends or further travel in that lane is prevented.
Where must you merge when zipper merging?
Continue using the lane until immediately before the narrowing and then merge into the adjacent continuing lane.
What must drivers in the continuing lane do?
They must alternately allow one driver from the ending or blocked lane to merge immediately before the narrowing.
What if lanes are blocked on both sides?
The continuing lane first allows one vehicle from the right-hand lane to merge and then one from the left-hand lane.
Who gives way when an obstruction is on your side?
A driver whose route is obstructed must slow down and, when necessary, stop to allow approaching road users to pass, unless signs or signals establish another arrangement.
Can B19 and B21 regulate a roadworks narrowing?
Yes. B19 may require one direction to give way to oncoming traffic, while B21 gives the opposite direction priority.
May you enter a roadworks section when traffic beyond it is blocked?
No. Do not enter when congestion is likely to force you to stop in an intersection, crossing or other location that must remain clear.
May you drive through a closed lane?
No. A red lane-control cross, C3 sign, barrier, cone arrangement or other lawful closure prohibits use of that lane or road section.
May you move a Belgian roadworks barrier or cone?
No. Traffic-control equipment may be moved only by authorised persons. Do not create your own route through the worksite.
May you overtake in Belgian roadworks?
A31 does not itself prohibit overtaking, but temporary C35 signs, continuous markings, narrow lanes or limited visibility may prohibit or make the manoeuvre unsafe.
May you stop or park near Belgian roadworks?
A31 creates no automatic prohibition. Temporary E1 or E3 signs, barriers and general safety rules may prohibit stopping or parking where vehicles would obstruct the work or traffic.
How should you pass road workers and machinery?
Reduce speed considerably, leave sufficient lateral space and expect workers or machinery to enter the road unexpectedly. Stop when directed or when safe passage is impossible.
What should cyclists do when a bike path is closed?
Follow the signed temporary route. When leaving an obstructed bike path, check traffic carefully and make the lateral movement safely.
What should pedestrians do when the pavement is closed?
Use the protected temporary walkway or crossing. Do not enter the carriageway merely because the normal pavement is blocked when another signed route is provided.
Must you form an emergency corridor in roadworks congestion?
Yes, where the road has at least two lanes in the same direction. Vehicles in the leftmost lane move left and vehicles in the other lanes move right as soon as congestion forms.
What changes on 1 June 2027?
Belgium’s new Code of the Public Road retains traffic sign A31 for roadworks. Temporary yellow road markings will be permitted to replace white markings during works and will make the white markings at the same location invalid.
Will temporary yellow markings cover more than traffic lanes?
Yes. Under the new code, yellow may be used for different types of temporary markings, including lane markings, pedestrian crossings and cycle facilities.
