Campus partners deploy stewards and provide free shuttle tickets during busy start of academic year
DIEPENBEEK – Anyone travelling to Limburg DC at the start of the academic year should allow for exceptionally heavy traffic during the first ten days. POM Limburg, UHasselt, PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, UCLL University of Applied Sciences and the municipality of Diepenbeek are therefore calling on students and staff to plan their journey in advance and, where possible, travel by bicycle or public transport. Those who do travel by car are advised to check in advance where they can park and how to reach their chosen car park.
The first days of the academic year are traditionally the busiest at Limburg DC. Large numbers of students and staff arrive on campus at the same time each day. This can lead to additional traffic congestion, particularly during the morning rush hour. The campus partners are therefore asking everyone to allow extra travel time during the first ten days and, where possible, leave the car at home.
This year, there is also a new traffic situation at Limburg DC. Alongside the new bus connection and dedicated bus lane, the junction has been redesigned and the road layout on campus has been adapted. The dedicated bus lane allows buses to reach the campus more easily. For motorists, the new situation means that some parking locations need to be accessed via a different route.
To help manage traffic during the first week, the campus partners are taking additional measures. Stewards will be deployed in the mornings to direct traffic towards available parking areas. Motorists can park free of charge at Park H, and the campus partners are providing 500 free bus tickets for travel to Limburg DC and back.
Tom Vandeput, chairman of POM Limburg, which manages the campus: ‘Our message for those first ten days is simple: plan your journey in advance and, where possible, choose to cycle or use public transport. This will help you avoid the heaviest traffic and will often get you to your destination faster. If you do come by car, check your route in advance and follow the signs on site.’
Often faster by bicycle or bus
During the busiest periods, cycling and public transport are often the fastest ways to reach Limburg DC. The F70 and F701 cycle highways connect Hasselt, Genk, Diepenbeek and the wider region directly to Limburg DC. Those travelling by train can switch to a shared bicycle at Hasselt, Diepenbeek and Genk railway stations. Limburg DC is also easily accessible by bus. Several routes run from Hasselt, Genk and Diepenbeek to the campus via a dedicated lane, separate from other traffic. With De Lijn’s Campus Pass, students can travel without restriction between Hasselt and Diepenbeek for €20 per academic year.
Bernard Vanheusden, rector of UHasselt: ‘A tremendous amount of work has been done on the campus over the past few months. And the results are clear. This is a beautiful and safe campus that continues to develop. A place where it is pleasant to study and spend time with fellow students. With the new bus connections, cycling infrastructure and cooperation between all campus partners, it is now easier than ever to reach Limburg DC in a smart and sustainable way.’
Ben Lambrechts, general director of PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts: ‘If you want to beat the traffic, don’t get stuck in it. Especially during the first ten days of the academic year, we are calling on our PXL students to make a conscious choice: take the bicycle or public transport if you can, and the car if you have to. With the new bus connections, cycle highways and Park H, there are plenty of alternatives. That way, you save time yourself and together we keep Limburg DC easily accessible.’
Marc Vandewalle, general director of UCLL University of Applied Sciences: ‘Limburg DC is a vibrant campus where thousands of students and staff come together every day to learn, work and meet one another. To keep the campus easily accessible in the future, we are working with our partners on sustainable and smart mobility solutions. Those who choose to cycle, use public transport and/or park at an outlying car park not only make their own journey more pleasant, but also help create an accessible, sustainable and welcoming campus for everyone. At the same time, we are mindful of those who “have to” travel by car. With the opening of the new parking facility, we will soon create additional capacity to keep the campus easily accessible.’
Travelling by car? Check your route in advance
Those travelling by car are advised to check in advance which route they need to take. The redesigned junction and new access road mean that the campus is accessed differently than during the previous academic year. One notable change is that motorists will now drive through the Health Campus parking facility to enter Limburg DC.
During the first ten days, stewards will be deployed in the mornings to monitor occupancy across the various parking areas. When an area is approaching capacity, they will indicate this in good time so that drivers do not unnecessarily head towards a full car park. Temporary signage will clearly indicate the new routes for motorists and pedestrians. Police will also be present on Universiteitslaan to ensure road safety and enforce traffic regulations.
Those wishing to avoid congestion on campus can leave their car at Park H free of charge and continue their journey to Limburg DC from there. The campus partners are providing 500 free bus tickets for travel from Park H to the campus and back. Stewards will distribute the tickets on site. Shared bicycles are also available at Park H.
At the start of the academic year, the new parking facility at the Health Campus will also open, with space for 480 cars.
Rik Kriekels, mayor of Diepenbeek: ‘The new parking facility is another asset in the move towards a low-traffic, green campus in Diepenbeek.’
All information on cycling, public transport, parking and access to Limburg DC can be found at slimnaardecampus.be.
