Brussels tram to metro plan in trouble

Problems and delays are accumulating for the project to convert the north–south tram subway in the Belgian capital for metro operation as line 3. This includes a new alignment to by-pass the original tram subways of 1957 at Lemonnier. 

 

Work on the latter has been suspended since 2021 due to construction difficulties caused by unanticipated ground conditions, and if a more expensive solution is agreed (an additional EUR 400M) it will take eight years to complete. A EUR 11M study of the plans is in progress. 

 

Meanwhile the 4.5km northern extension from Nord to Bordet is also over budget and the regional government has requested additional federal funding. It is also investigating the possibility of a EUR 475M loan from the European Investment Bank. The total project cost is now likely to be EUR 4bn and the earliest opening in 2032. Four options are being considered, with a decision due by 15 July. One option is to abandon the project, despite EUR 175M spent to date.