March 2019
N604 to reopen to traffic
Good news! The Rabosée-Battice project is drawing to a close and the underground cable has now been pulled across the entire route.
On 4 March, contractors began work to restore the road to its original state. Asphalting work is set to run until 13 March, depending on the weather conditions.
Once the work is complete, the N604 (between Barchon and the ‘La petite Fournée’ roundabout) will be reopened to traffic in both directions. The road markings will be repainted later.
February 2019
Travel news: temporary closure to traffic
On 7 January 2019, a new phase of work began on the N604 between the roundabout in Blegny giving access to the motorway to Aachen and the junction with Rue des Heids in Soumagne.
As part of this work, the section between the 'La petite Fournée' roundabout and 'Parc artisanal de Blegny' will be closed to traffic from 12 to 14 February inclusive. These dates may change if bad weather forces us to postpone the road closure.
During this period, an appropriate diversion and signage will be in place, in accordance with the mobility plan drawn up with the municipal councils and the local polices.
Shops and homes will remain accessible, as will the Parc artisanal de Blegny, and Elia will ensure that all the necessary access arrangements are in place.
December 2018
Keen to keep up the dialogue with local residents and businesses, together with the municipalities of Blegny and Soumagne, Elia wishes to update you on developments concerning the Rabosée-Battice site.
The second phase of work will begin next January on the section of the N604 between the roundabout affording access to the motorway to Aachen in Blegny and where the road crosses rue des Heids in Soumagne.
In this connection, all the local actors have approved a mobility plan. Accordingly, for the duration of the work:
- traffic from Barchon to Soumagne should continue to flow normally;
- motorists heading for Barchon from Soumagne will have to take a detour via exit 36 on the E42, from the roundabout "La petite fournée";
- both shopping complexes will be accessible to vehicles coming from Barchon. Motorists arriving from Soumagne will have to take the detour via exit 36 on the E42 from "La petite fournée".
Elia guarantees that all businesses will remain accessible via the aforementioned deviations. You will find the mobility plan by clicking on this link.
According to the provisional schedule, the project should be completed during spring 2019. Should this change for reasons beyond our control, we will keep you informed via this page.
Elia will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call us on 0800 18 002 or send an e-mail to riverains@elia.be.
16 April 2018
Focus on directional drilling
As part of our infrastructure works, we regularly use the directional drilling technique to lay underground cables. This process is useful in minimising traffic disruption around the site. In fact, directional drilling makes it possible to avoid blocking major roads and commercial hubs during the works.
Elia is using this technique at various points of the Rabosée-Battice site. This is the case for example at the ’Carrefour des 4 bras’, straddling the Communes of Liège and Blegny, where our teams were hard at work a few days ago.
"The directional drilling technique allows the cable to pass from point A to point B without opening a trench in the road," explains Peter Nys, project manager. "We start by digging a well at the entry and exit points. The passage between the two points is then drilled. Depending on the nature of the soil, the boring head is passed through at least twice, then the ducts are pulled into the passage created. Finally, the cable itself is pulled into the ducts using traditional machinery. We will also be using this technique in the coming weeks, along the N604 in Blegny for example, to limit the impact of the site on businesses."
When organising the sites for its infrastructure projects, Elia always works in collaboration with all stakeholders (contractors, municipal works departments, police, landowners). The choice of directional drilling was considered by all to be the best solution to minimise the impact of the works for the Rabosée-Battice project on access and traffic.
22 January 2018
Start of the work
Work on the Rabosée-Battice project has begun in Herve. Our teams will spend around 12 months laying the new underground connection between the Battice high-voltage substation and the future transition station in Rabosée.
Trenches will be dug and cables laid in sections of 800 to 1,000 metres. Each section requires four to six weeks' work, from excavation to the restoration of the infrastructure to its original state.
We are currently starting work on line 38 of the RAVeL network in the municipalities of Herve and Soumagne. Work in this area will last about four months, after which we will move on to the municipalities of Liège and Blegny.
For more information about the work and its progress, consult the 'Works' section of this website.
Should you require any additional information, contact us on the freep phone number 0800 18 002 or at riverains@elia.be.
Press release
27 October 2017
Planning permit granted
The responsible official of the Walloon Region has approved the planning permit application submitted by Elia for the Rabosée-Battice project, which involves laying a new 150-kV underground connection.
As such, Elia can now start this project, which is vital for the security of supply in the east of the province of Liège.
Work on laying the new 150-kV underground connection between the Battice high-voltage substation and the future transition station in Rabosée will start in December this year and will last approximately 14 months.
This website will provide updates on the progress of the project. The Elia team undertakes to work directly with the local authorities, road authorities and local stakeholders to ensure that the work causes as little disruption as possible.
Should you require any additional information, contact us on the free phone number 0800 18 002 or at riverains@elia.be.
9 September 2017
End of the public consultation
The public consultation into the Rabosée-Battice project in Liège, Blegny, Herve and Soumagne has been completed. The Walloon Region's delegated official must now analyse the planning permit application, the Environmental Impact Assessment and the various opinions received, before taking a decision. The decision is expected in November 2017. If it is positive, Elia plans to start work by the end of the year.
Elia can be contacted by telephone on 0800 18 002 or by e-mail at: riverains@elia.be.
7 July 2017
Public consultation and organisation of a Q&A session
The Walloon Region's delegated official has declared our planning permit application complete.
Consequently, between 6 July and 9 September the Rabosée-Battice project will be subject to public consultation. During this period, the entire application as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be available for scrutiny at the premises of the four municipal administrations involved.
On a voluntary basis, in keeping with its policy of transparency, Elia is organising an evening Q&A session to answer any questions. SGS, the recognised, independent consultancy that wrote the EIA, will also be invited along to present the EIA's conclusions.
- Where? Chamber of the municipal council (town hall): Avenue de la Coopération, 38, B-4630 Soumagne.
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When? 5 September, free access between 18:00 and 20:00
- Who? The project's managers and author of the EIA will be present
In the meantime, we can be reached by phone on 0800 18 002 or by e-mail at riverains@elia.be.
9 December 2016
The preliminary project for the underground electricity connection linking Rabosée and Battice was officially announced during an advance public information meeting at Soumagne Cultural Centre on Thursday, 8 December.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the session. Your questions and comments will help the independent engineering firm to conduct the most precise and specific Environmental Impact Study possible, enabling Elia to design a project that better respects t environment.
Remember, you can still send your questions, suggestions and comments to Soumagne municipal council, with a copy to Elia, until 22 December 2016. These will be forwarded to the engineering firm, which will consider them in its analyses.
The Environmental Impact Study will last three months and its findings will be included in the planning permit application file submitted by Elia.
We will be sure to keep you updated about the next steps in the procedure.
Best regards,
The Rabosée-Battice project team
6 December 2016
Residents of the municipalities covered by the Rabosée-Battice project (Liège, Blégny, Soumagne and Herve) are cordially invited to an advance public information meeting:
on Thursday, 8 December 2016 at 8 p.m.
at Soumagne Cultural Centre
Rue Pierre Currie 46, 4630 Soumagne
Anyone wishing to make observations or suggestions may do so:
- at the meeting;
- or within 15 days of the meeting by sending a letter to Soumagne municipal council (Collège communal de Soumagne, Avenue de la Coopération 38, B-4630 Soumagne) with a copy to the requester (Elia Asset SA – For the attention of Mr Christophe Coq - Boulevard de l’Empereur 20 – B-1000 Brussels).
Observations and suggestions must include the sender's name and address to be considered valid. They will immediately be forwarded to the independent body in charge of conducting the Environmental Impact Study.
Legally, this meeting constitutes the first official announcement. The preliminary project will be presented to you in detail and those in charge of it will be available to hear your comments and suggestions, which will be noted and analysed during the Environmental Impact Study.
The Rabosée-Battice project team hopes to see you at this information session. You can also contact us by e-mail or telephone.