Work - East loop

Throughout all its projects, Elia ensures that it takes all necessary measures to limit the work’s impact, preserve the environment and maintain residents’ quality of life.

Work divided into four parts

Work on Phase 2 of the Boucle de l’Est project has been divided into four parts.

Stages of work

Each of the four parts of Phase 2 will comprise eight distinct stages.

Stage 1: Lopping and clearance

Lopping and clearance work may be required at some points along the route. This is done in consultation with the respective land owners and operators.

Stage 4: Laying foundations

This involves digging at the location of the new pylons so that each pylon’s concrete foundation can be poured. The new pylons will be buried 2 to 5 metres deep. The soil removed to create these foundations will be taken away by dump truck.

Stage 7 : Fostering biodiversity

Elia seeks partners to implement projects aimed at fostering local biodiversity.

Stage 2: Creating site access roads

After surveying the area with the respective land owners and/or operators, temporary access roads are built for the intermittent traffic needed to carry out the work.

Stage 5: Erecting new pylons

The new pylons are transported by lorries that can be up to 32 metres long and weigh as much as 20 tonnes. They are then positioned using a crane. The metal components at the top of the pylons (arms, pinnacles, etc.) are mounted using a bucket truck.

Stage 8: Painting

Once the pylons are in place and work is complete, the metal structures must be painted to prevent corrosion. They will need to be repainted every 10 to 15 years.

Stage 3: Dismantling the existing pylons

The conductors are removed section by section and immediately rewound using pulling and braking machines. The pylons are dismantled and the foundations are removed from the ground and taken away by lorry.

Stage 6: Clearing up the site

As soon as the project is finished, the temporary access roads are dismantled and the land is restored to its original state. All waste from the site is collected and taken to an accredited waste processing centre. A final survey of the area around the site is then carried out.

Organisation of the work

Respect for local residents and the environment is a priority for Elia. While every project is different and very much depends on the type of infrastructure involved, Elia always organises its work in collaboration with all relevant parties (including the contractor, the local authorities, the local police and landowners) and regularly updates local residents on the progress being made.
While work is ongoing, Elia implements a series of measures focused on three key areas: safety, noise control and mobility management.

Noise control
Noisy work is carried out during working hours, unless otherwise agreed with the relevant authorities with a view to reducing the impact on mobility at specific times.

Site vehicles only leave their engines running when necessary.
Site safety
Work areas are always marked out clearly and a site safety coordinator is always on hand to ensure that activities on the site run smoothly.

Furthermore, site meetings are held with contractors to discuss points for attention (e.g. itinerary, waste sorting).

When the existing line is being dismantled, safety gantries are put in place while the power cables are pulled to protect infrastructure along the route (roads and homes).
Mobility
If the work requires temporary road closures, appropriate diversions and signs are put in place in consultation with the local police.

Work-in-progress signs are erected in dialogue with the local police. These signs provide residents with all the information they need (in particular, the start and end dates for the work).

Elia strives to ensure that local residents always have access to their homes.