Redevelopment of chaussée de Neerstalle/Neerstalesteenweg

Phase 2: between chaussée de Ruisbroek/Ruisbroeksesteenweg and rue de Stalle/Stallestraat

An essential renovation

The tram tracks needed to be replaced to ensure a safe and efficient public transport service. However, even with new tracks, trams heading towards rue de Stalle/Stallestraat would often get stuck in traffic, with queues stretching back towards Forest/Vorst. Pavements and roadways were no longer suited to the needs of local residents and other road users.

In response, STIB-MIVB, Brussels Mobility and the municipality of Uccle/Ukkel wanted to expand the replacement of tracks to a full-scale redevelopment of the 550-metre section between the junction with chaussée de Ruisbroek/Ruisbroeksesteenweg and the junction with rue de Stalle/Stallestraat.

This project is part of a broader vision to improve mobility and urban planning along the entire chaussée de Neerstalle/Neerstallesteenweg, where significant improvements have already been made.

A more efficient public transport service

• Improved performance for trams 82 and 97 by partially removing them from traffic. Given the narrowness of the street, a fully dedicated tram lane is not possible. Therefore, a dedicated tram lane will be created in one direction towards the junction with rue de Stalle/Stallestraat. Car traffic will no longer be allowed in this direction starting from chaussée de Ruisbroek/Ruisbroeksesteenweg. By reducing traffic, the residents will benefit from a more peaceful neighbourhood.
• Bringing the stops Merlo and Carrefour Stalle/Kruispunt Stalle up to standard, making them more comfortable and accessible, including for people with reduced mobility.

This project will improve the regularity and the travel time of trams, making public transport more attractive for all users.

A high-quality public space encouraging a low-traffic neighbourhood

STIB-MIVB, Brussels Mobility and the municipality of Uccle/Ukkel wanted to expand the project to a complete roadway overhaul to make it safer, and more functional and pleasant for the residents and all road users.

• Improved pedestrian flows with wider and safer pavements. Pedestrians will also be able to cross more safely and smoothly, including people with reduced mobility, for instance through the use of podotactile paving stones.
• Improved and more secure cycling infrastructures and markings, with better itineraries that are connected to the surrounding cycle network.
• Green and permeable public spaces. Many new trees will be planted, producing a cooling effect. At the same time, the amount of permeable surface area will be increased by 40%. This will be achieved by creating ditches, planted areas and drainage beds beneath permeable surfaced parking areas, which will absorb some of the rainwater.

This comprehensive project will transform chaussée de Neerstalle/Neerstallesteenweg into a modern, sustainable, and accessible space, combining efficient public transport with improved quality of life for its residents.

Project

General work planning

The works are scheduled from the end of October 2024 to mid-2026. They will be carried out in phases to reduce the impact on residents. The traffic situation will change as the works progress. People whose garages or car parks will be made unavailable will be informed in advance by a notice on site.

Multiple work phases will occur at each site:

• Between early November 2024 and late April 2025, utility providers will replace or relocate their underground utility facilities (such as sewers, electricity, water distribution, telecommunications, etc.). In some cases, there will be no impact on traffic, but this may also result in turning the road into a one-way street or blocking off traffic in both directions.
• From late April to late August 2025, new tram tracks will be installed in 4 distinct zones, each one causing a road closure in both directions.
• From July 2025 to mid-2026, the roads and pavements will be redeveloped in 6 separate zones, with each zone causing a road closure in both directions.

Planning 2025

Stay informed

Throughout the project, information on how the work is progressing will be provided through a number of channels.

Notices will be sent to local residents living on or near the worksite.

Subscribe to updates:

By email: send 'INFO NEERSTALLE 2' to ombudsman@neerstalle.brussels

By Whatsapp: save the number 0490 14 14 30 in your contacts and send the message 'INFO NEERSTALLE 2 + your name'

A direct contact is available via ombudsman@neerstalle.brussels and by the free number 0800 21 640. It is also the point of contact for specific access requirements (moving, delivery, etc.) during road closure periods.

Public transport

You can find the changes here.

From 25/11/2024, the public transport offer will be adapted. Discover the new map.

Plan

Traffic arrangements

Discover the new diversion maps from 25/11/2024.

1 General diversions

2 Local diversions

1

2

S1 trains

Until the end of 2025, S1 trains will be available as an alternative to tram 82 and bus 50 for STIB-MIVB ticket holders between Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid, Forest-Est/Vorst-Oost and Uccle-Stalle/ Ukkel-Stalle.

To use this service, you must be the holder of one of the following transport tickets:

• STIB-MIVB season ticket
• a 1 or 10-journey ticket on a MOBIB card, to be validated at SNCB-NMBS ticket vending machines in stations

These tickets must be shown to the ticket inspector on the train.

Project heart of Forest/Vorst

The second building permit application pertains to the redevelopment of public spaces in the heart of Forest/Vorst, initiated by the municipality of Forest/Vorst.

Works scope

Place Saint-Denis/Sint-Denijsplein and the chaussée de Bruxelles /Brusselse Steenweg - chaussée de Neerstalle/Neerstalse Steenweg between the intersections of rue Saint-Denis/Sint-Denijsstraat - Rue des Abbesses/Abdissenstraat and rue Caporal Trésignies/Korporaal Trésigniesstraat- rue André Baillon/André Baillonstraat.

General objectives

The project aims to create a “shared space” to make the neighbourhood more peaceful, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone by promoting active modes of transport (such as walking or cycling, for example). Place Saint-Denis/Sint-Denijsplein and its surroundings will thus become a public space where everyone feels like sitting, playing, meeting their neighbours, going shopping or having a drink.

In practical terms, a shared space is characterised by a large continuous surface that extends from façade to façade, where all users (motorised or not) move at a maximum speed of 20 km/h.

Benefits for the users and the residents

Near Place Saint-Denis/Sint-Denijsplein:

• Reconnect the two parts of Place Saint-Denis/Sint-Denijsplein (forecourt and square) to restore its character as a common and central space in the neighbourhood;
• Provide a generous and secure public space that can accommodate various uses (market, flea market, events, sports, games, etc.);
• Create pleasant gathering places for the residents and the businesses (benches, shaded areas, horeca terraces, etc.);
• Reconnect the forecourt and the abbey in their heritage dimension;
• Promote biodiversity within an ecological focal point;
• Introduce water in a playful way (water jets, drinking water fountains, etc.);
• Incorporate a landscape dimension with rain gardens in line with the project “Tracé de l’eau”;
• Enhance the continuity of the blue network (integrated rainwater management, permeable soil zones, etc.).

Near the chaussée de Bruxelles /Brusselsesteenweg - chaussée de Neerstalle/Neerstallesteenweg, between the town hall and rue Caporal Trésignies/Korporaal Trésigniesstraat:

• Declutter and unify the ground surface;
• Improve comfort for the pedestrian and bicycle traffic;
• Manage car traffic by reducing transit traffic while maintaining accessibility for local destination traffic;
• Enhance road safety;
• Provide opportunities for businesses (reserved areas for stalls and terraces);
• Ensure a good commercial speed for trams;
• Rationalize the distance between the public transport stops and merge the stops Forest-Centre/Vorst-Centrum and Saint-Denis/Sint-Denijs;
• Promote intermodality (Gare Forest-Est/Station Vorst-Oost, tram and bus stops, cycling facilities).