N16

The N16 is an important National Route. It connects Sint-Niklaas with Temse, Willebroek and Mechelen. Along the way, it also connects the motorways/autosnelwegen A14, A12, and A1 - all of which eminate from Antwerp just to the north.

 

N16 Eastbound
Construction is ongoing along much of the N16 route, for widening and other improvements. In the 1980s, plans were raised to turn the N16 into a motorway but have since been dropped due to too much urban density along much of its route.
The road has one separated grade interchange just north of Temse at the N485B route, which runs into Temse's city center to the west.
A viaduct begins with the houses of Temse immediately to the west side of the road. It's three lanes here, with only one lane eastbound. It feels a bit urban here, as well.
Just east of Temse, the N16 crosses over the Schelde River on a very old iron bridge.
Another view of the N16's Schelde crossing. The bridge looks like it may have originally carried railroad tracks.
Upon exiting the bridge, the road enters Antwerp Province. A standard Flemish welcome sign sits at the eastern side of the bridge.
The N16 curves more eastward, and a new lane is gained. This road is heavy with truck traffic bypassing Antwerp, and catering to the industrial areas of Mechelen to the east.
There are many traffic lights between Temse and Willebroek. This light serves the village of Bornem just to the south.
The directional signs on N-roads in Flanders can be very busy. Reassurance markers are hidden in the top pane of each sign "N16".
The traffic light at the village of Puurs. Notice the prominent red light camera to the right.
Standard Flemish guide signs at Puurs. Note the color coordination here, with a motorway control point in green and industrial areas in white. This area is home to many manufacturing and industrial parks.
This pull through sign sits just east of Puurs. The N16 is signed very well, as N-routes in Belgium normally are.
The N16 meets the N17 just before the A12 motoway at Willebroek. The N17 is an old route southwest from Antwerp to connect to the large city of Brugge. Most of the N17 was replaced by the A12 in the 1970s.
Just before the A12 motorway, a standard junction sign. Fort Breedonk is listed as a control point in brown and thus is listed as a tourist attraction. The fort was an abandoned army facility overtaken by the Nazis in WW2 and used as a concentration camp for Jews. Today the site is a national memorial and museum.
The N16 at the A12 motorway, only 28 kilometers north of Brussels, the area is at the center of the Brussels-Antwerp corridor, and is becoming urban very quickly.
Over the bridge of the A12 and into Willebroek, the N16 technically ends here. Continue south on the A12 to continue eastward on N16 to Mechelen.
Boom and Antwerp are listed as northbound control cities for the A12 on the aged green signs at the entrance to Willebroek.
We leave the N16 here as it becomes the N183 and enters Willebroek.
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