Traffic complex Ring / N8

Start of the works

09/2025

End of the works

09/2030

Region

Dilbeek Northern side

Project status

Study

Various entry and exit points are located close to each other at the intersection of Ninoofsesteenweg (N8) and the Ring Road in Dilbeek. This makes the traffic situation unsafe and causes tailbacks. Thanks to a new layout of the entry and exit points, traffic on both the Ring Road and on Ninoofsesteenweg will be able to flow more smoothly and safely. All road users will be given due consideration. In addition, the redesign will improve quality of life in the surrounding area.

In Dilbeek, several entry and exit points on the Ring Road are located in very close proximity. These are the slip roads at Ninoofsesteenweg and Kattebroekstraat and near Westland Shopping. The many vehicles merging and exiting cause dangerous traffic situations on the Ring Road and cause tailbacks. The tailbacks on the entry and exit points to the Ring Road also mean that traffic too often comes to a standstill on Ninoofsesteenweg and local residents have to cope with a lot of traffic trying to find a short cut. To tackle these problems, we are redesigning the slip roads.

Traffic light-controlled intersection

The slip roads will be designed as traffic light-controlled intersections, also called ‘Singe Point of Interchange’ (SPI) in traffic engineering terms. The Ninoofsesteenweg-Ring Road slip roads have been merged into a large intersection above the Ring Road, where traffic will be regulated by traffic lights. The advantage is that the left-turning traffic flows can take place simultaneously and do not need to cross each other. This makes for smoother traffic and fewer possible conflicts between vehicles.

Find out how a traffic light-controlled intersection works here.

Kattebroekstraat slip roads disappear

The slip roads at Kattebroekstraat will disappear. They are too close to the slip roads to and from Ninoofsesteenweg. This creates many vehicles merging and exiting within a short distance, resulting in dangerous traffic situations and tailbacks. The disappearance of the slip roads is possible because the traffic flow on the Ring will improve with the construction of the traffic light-controlled intersections.

Consideration for all road users

The Ninoofsesteenweg will be reconstructed. The various users - cyclists, pedestrians, public transport and other motorised traffic - must be able to make easy and safe use of it. We are making the roadway more bicycle-friendly and ensuring that public transport users can alight and cross safely.

On both the north and south sides of the traffic light-controlled intersection, cyclists will have a separate and raised bicycle path. Slightly south, at Liv. Walravenslaan, there will also be a cyclist bridge over the Ring Road. This is part of the construction of the stretch of Ring Road cycle path between Dilbeek and Zellik.

Open space and nature

At the level of the slip roads on Kattebroekstraat, the Molenbeek is currently constricted. We will reopen the stretch of stream where it will run under the new Ring Road cycle path. The banks will be made natural, thus restoring the ecosystem and biodiversity. The stream also provides additional water buffering. The reopened Molenbeek will also make for a more attractive landscape. We are creating a tunnel for animals at Kattebroekstraat. By means of this tunnel and several other passages we connect the Wolfsputten, the Kattebroek and the Scheutbos park. This benefits forest-related animal species, such as squirrels, roe deer and sloeworm.

Planning

The timing of the project is as follows:

  • Completion of study phase: autumn 2022
  • Design: spring 2023 - autumn 2023
  • Recruiting contractor: autumn 2023 – spring 2024
  • Implementation: from autumn 2024

 

Nuisance

In order to build the new access and exit ramps with the traffic light-controlled intersection, the bridge in the Ninoofsesteenweg has to be reconstructed. The demolition of the existing bridge and the construction of the new bridge will cause a lot of inconvenience. Traffic will have to be diverted. Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to use the new cycle bridge over the Ring Road that is being constructed as part of the Ring Road cycle path between Dilbeek and Zellik.

  • We are currently still in the study and design phase of the project. A concrete timing will only be available once the works are in progress, but we can already give the following phasing:

  • Phase 1: preparatory work

    We will adapt the existing slip roads and junctions.

  • Phase 2: demolition of Ninoofsesteenweg bridge

    We will demolish the existing Ninoofsesteenweg bridge over the Ring Road. Traffic on the Ring Road will use the slip roads during the demolition phase, while supra-local traffic will be encouraged to take diversions over longer distances.

  • Phase 3: Construction of new bridge and traffic light-controlled intersection

    Traffic will be able to continue to use the Ring Road during the construction of the new Ninoofsesteenweg bridge. Traffic from the Ninoofsesteenweg can continue to travel between Brussels and Ninove via the slip roads at Kattenbroek and Westland Shopping.

  • Phase 4: construction of southern slip road

    We construct the southern slip road to and from the traffic light-controlled intersection. Through traffic on the N8 will be possible again once this phase is completed. The existing northern slip road will remain in use.

  • Phase 5: construction of northern slip road

    We also construct the northern slip road. The new southern slip road will be in use from phase is onwards.

Plans info moment February 2023

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