A new bridge in Belvie
On October 28, 2026, Belvie reached a milestone with the installation of the pedestrian and bicycle bridge that will connect the new Belval neighborhood to Belvaux. Developed under the project management of AGORA, in collaboration with Tralux Construction and the project partners, this structure creates the first tangible connection with the neighboring community, even before the first homes are built.
A neighborhood being built in harmony with its neighbors
Developed by AGORA in the municipality of Sanem, as an extension of Belvaux, Belvie will feature 684 housing units as well as shops, services, and community facilities. Set to launch in March 2026, this final major neighborhood in Belval will feature a variety of housing types, traffic-calmed streets, and a strong emphasis on walking and cycling.
The new footbridge reflects this vision for the region. It will bring Belvie closer to downtown Belvaux and make travel easier. Residents of Belvaux will have more direct access to the park and schools in Belval, while future residents of Belvie will be able to reach the shops and services in downtown Belvaux.
“Belvie isn’t being built next to Belvaux, but alongside Belvaux. Even before the first homes are built, we’re establishing the connection that links the new neighborhood to the existing fabric of the municipality of Sanem. “This project embodies our vision for Belval: an open neighborhood, accessible on foot and by bike, that extends the city rather than standing apart from it,” emphasizes Yannick Quevedo, CEO of AGORA.
A large-scale lifting operation
Measuring 34 meters long and 4.50 meters wide, the steel structure weighs 105 metric tons. Placing it on its permanent supports required a 750-metric-ton crane, which was set up on the AGORA site in Belvie.
Originally scheduled for October 24, the operation was postponed by four days due to forecasted wind gusts. This delay ensured compliance with the strict safety requirements established for the lift. The meeting with project partners scheduled for October 24, however, went ahead as planned.
Behind this visible stage of the construction project lie several months of preparation and coordination: organizing access routes, setting up the crane, lifting plans, technical inspections, and public safety measures.
“An installation like this is planned well in advance of the big day. Since last winter, we’ve been working closely with Tralux Construction, the engineering firms, and the municipality to coordinate every step: access routes, the crane’s footprint, lifting plans, inspections, and public safety,” explains Zahira Malyani, project manager and urban planner at AGORA.
A project driven by complementary expertise
Under the project management of AGORA, the architectural design of the footbridge was entrusted to AGENCE TER, while SGI is responsible for the technical design and construction supervision. VINÇOTTE is serving as the external inspection firm, and ARGEST is handling health and safety coordination.
Tralux Construction, responsible for construction, is relying in particular on SARENS for lifting operations, HK KOHLER for waterproofing work, TRALUX MONTAGE for the guardrails, and EGDL for the lighting.
This collective effort is bringing to life a project that combines technical requirements, integration into the neighborhood, and new approaches to mobility.
Steel: Between Industrial Heritage and the Urban Future
The first structure in Belvie to rise from the ground, the footbridge also echoes Belval’s history. On this former steel mill site, steel serves as the foundation for a new connection that benefits residents.
“Steel has shaped Belval’s history; it also shapes its future—that of a more open, more understated city, tailored to the needs of its residents,” says Bruno Théret, vice president of AGORA’s board of directors.
Next step: preparing for the opening of the connection
The installation of the footbridge does not yet mark its opening to the public. Connection and finishing work is continuing in order to complete the structure and prepare it for use. The work is scheduled to be completed on December 18, 2026.
Once completed, the footbridge will be taken over by the municipality of Sanem, which will be responsible for its management and maintenance. It thus marks the beginning of the infrastructure projects in Belvie, for which utility connections are scheduled to begin in 2027.
Even before the homes and streets, this first project lays the foundation for a neighborhood connected to its neighbors: a link between Belvaux and Belvie.
Download the press release here
Drone photo credit: John Oesch
