New Bike Path Construction Begins Near Brussels’ Quatre-Bras Intersection
A major new cycling infrastructure project has broken ground near the Quatre-Bras intersection in Brussels, where Flemish authorities are building a dedicated bike path (FR20) along the Brussels Ring (R0) connecting to the E40 highway and Zaventem. The project, part of the broader “Werken aan de Ring” (Works on the Ring) program, will create a cycle highway linking Tervuren to Zaventem, with construction scheduled from August 2026 to January 2028, according to DH Les Sports+.
Connecting the Cycle Highway Network
The FR20 cycle highway will roughly follow the Brussels Ring between Tervuren and Zaventem, creating a crucial link between several existing and planned cycle highways (fietssnelwegen/cyclostrades). The new route will connect the Brussels-Leuven cycle highway (F203), the Brussels-Wezembeek-Oppem connection (FWOB), and the Brussels-Tervuren route, as La Libre reported.
According to the official Werken aan de Ring website, the project is managed by De Werkvennootschap, the Flemish government agency responsible for the broader Ring improvement program. The agency’s goal is to allow cyclists to cross the Ring quickly and safely, with the FR20 serving as a key connector in the regional cycling network.
Three New Cycle Bridges and Roadway Renewal
A centerpiece of the project is the construction of three new cycle bridges designed to eliminate dangerous crossings with vehicular traffic. As detailed on the fietssnelwegen.be official platform, the bridges will span the Wezembeeklaan, the Oscar De Burburelaan, and the Alfons Lenaertsstraat/Kerkhoflaan, ensuring cyclists can navigate these intersections safely.
The project also includes the complete renewal of the Mechelsesteenweg (Malines Road) between the Vierarmenkruispunt and the Varenslaan, along with the creation of a new small park along the Viooltjeslaan in Wezembeek-Oppem, as confirmed by the SBE Engineering project page, which notes the engineering collaboration between SBE, Omgeving, Ney & Partners, and D+A.
Traffic Impact and Phased Construction
Phase 1 of the works begins Monday, August 3, on the Mechelsesteenweg between the Quatre-Bras intersection and the Varenslaan. During this phase, which is expected to last until October 16, one-way traffic will be in effect on the Mechelsesteenweg, with the Varenslaan becoming temporarily dead-end. HLN reported that local detours will be routed via the Leopold III-laan, Grensstraat, and Leuvensesteenweg, with a partial parking ban in the Grensstraat.
Cyclists will be directed through alternative routes via residential streets, and bus services from both De Lijn and MIVB will follow adjusted routes during the works. Residents of the work zone can pass on foot or by bike, though car access may be limited during working hours.
BX1 noted that the Ring highway itself will not be impacted and the Quatre-Bras intersection will remain accessible at all times. Subsequent phases will extend the works along the Ring, first at Wezembeek-Oppem before expanding toward Zaventem, with the three cycle bridges built in later stages.
Building on Previous Infrastructure
The Quatre-Bras intersection has been a focal point for soft mobility infrastructure in recent years. In September 2024, a 70-meter-long wooden cyclo-pedestrian bridge was finally installed over the Ring at Quatre-Bras as part of the F29 cyclostrade between Brussels and Leuven, following months of delays and uncertainty that drew criticism from residents and commuters, as previously documented by DH Les Sports+.
A Step Toward Regional Cycling Connectivity
The FR20 project represents a significant investment in the region’s cycling infrastructure, part of a broader effort by Flemish authorities to create a seamless network of cycle highways around Brussels. The project affects four municipalities—Tervuren, Kraainem, Wezembeek-Oppem, and Zaventem—and is designed to provide a safe, comfortable alternative for commuters and recreational cyclists alike.
With completion expected in January 2028, the new cycle highway will fill a critical gap in the network, allowing cyclists to travel between Tervuren and Zaventem—and onward to Brussels and Leuven—without navigating dangerous intersections with motor traffic. As the broader “Werken aan de Ring” program continues to unfold, the FR20 will serve as a model for how regional authorities are prioritizing sustainable mobility infrastructure in and around the Belgian capital.