Although farmers dismantled their weekend barricades outside Courrière on Sunday night, a 12-kilometre stretch of the E411 between Wierde (exit 16) and Courrière stayed shut on Monday as road crews removed debris and repaired scorched asphalt. Governor Denis Mathen confirmed that light vehicles are being funnelled onto the N4, while lorries over 7.5 tonnes must detour via the N97–N5–E42 corridor—a 55-kilometre diversion that adds roughly one hour to Brussels–Luxembourg freight runs. ([brusselstimes.com](https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1914148/farmer-barricades-lifted-but-e411-still-temporarily-closed/))
The closure follows two days of tractor blockades that saw tyres burned and potatoes dumped across the carriageway during protests over the Mercosur accord. Cleanup teams reported melted safety barriers and damaged signage, necessitating lane resurfacing before a full reopening. Police maintain a visible presence to direct traffic and deter renewed action.
If your staff or clients suddenly need to cross additional borders because of the diversions, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) can expedite any required visas or travel authorisations. The platform offers quick online applications, real-time status tracking and expert support—handy when transport upheavals force last-minute itinerary changes.
![E411 Motorway Remains Partially Closed Despite End of Farm Barricades, Forcing HGV Detours]()
Business travellers and corporate shuttles heading to Luxembourg, France or Brussels South Charleroi Airport should avoid the E411/N4 interchange until at least mid-week. Logistics providers servicing the Ardennes industrial belt are re-sequencing deliveries and warning customers of missed just-in-time windows. Companies with posted workers commuting daily across the Belgian–Luxembourg border should consider temporary telework arrangements.
The incident highlights Belgium’s vulnerability to sector-wide protest spill-overs. Mobility managers may wish to map alternative corridors and pre-contract parking for coach transfers when highways close. Insurers also remind employers that assignments involving nightly driving on diverted secondary roads may require upgraded duty-of-care protocols.
Authorities expect the motorway to reopen fully once structural inspections conclude—possibly late Tuesday—yet concede further farmer actions could trigger fresh shutdowns elsewhere. Continual monitoring of the Namur province crisis-cell bulletins is advised.
The closure follows two days of tractor blockades that saw tyres burned and potatoes dumped across the carriageway during protests over the Mercosur accord. Cleanup teams reported melted safety barriers and damaged signage, necessitating lane resurfacing before a full reopening. Police maintain a visible presence to direct traffic and deter renewed action.
If your staff or clients suddenly need to cross additional borders because of the diversions, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) can expedite any required visas or travel authorisations. The platform offers quick online applications, real-time status tracking and expert support—handy when transport upheavals force last-minute itinerary changes.
Business travellers and corporate shuttles heading to Luxembourg, France or Brussels South Charleroi Airport should avoid the E411/N4 interchange until at least mid-week. Logistics providers servicing the Ardennes industrial belt are re-sequencing deliveries and warning customers of missed just-in-time windows. Companies with posted workers commuting daily across the Belgian–Luxembourg border should consider temporary telework arrangements.
The incident highlights Belgium’s vulnerability to sector-wide protest spill-overs. Mobility managers may wish to map alternative corridors and pre-contract parking for coach transfers when highways close. Insurers also remind employers that assignments involving nightly driving on diverted secondary roads may require upgraded duty-of-care protocols.
Authorities expect the motorway to reopen fully once structural inspections conclude—possibly late Tuesday—yet concede further farmer actions could trigger fresh shutdowns elsewhere. Continual monitoring of the Namur province crisis-cell bulletins is advised.
