Between the two massive concrete walls, huge iron tubes. An essential structural element, we are told, to guarantee the stability of the land and the homes in the neighborhood. But soon, these vast tubes will disappear. “We will build the ground slab and we will no longer need it.”
As a reminder, this Toots Thielemans metro station will be part of the new metro line 3. Unlike the other “pre-metro” stations, the Lemonnier station, dating from the 1950s, before the construction of the metros, cannot accommodate the trains. Hence the need for a new infrastructure.
A “symbol”, a “heritage”, a “lung for young people”: the Stalingrad district in “shock” over the possible dismantling of the Palais du Midi
In October of this year, it will be four years since the titanic construction site of metro 3 was launched in the heart of Brussels. And we will have to wait a good number of years before we see vehicles circulating underground. As a reminder, the vast project has been split into two parts, with two time frames. The first part, between Albert and Brussels-North, is currently under construction. It consists of the “metroification” of the existing tram line (pre-metro). The second part, the extension to Evere via Schaerbeek, has not yet been launched or budgeted.
Six years late
This Thursday, September 19, 2024, during a press visit to the construction site, STIB reconfirmed the deadline: “we hope to have the metro running by the end of 2031 between Gare du Nord and Albert”. Namely a delay of six years compared to the promises made at the start of the legislature which provided that “the Albert-Gare du Nord section should be inaugurated in 2024”. One of the reasons for this colossal delay: the saga of the Palais du Midi. Due to stability problems, which were nevertheless feared, the building must be dismantled. This considerably increases the timeframes, as well as the costs. The budget for this first Forest-Brussels North section is estimated at 1.3 billion at this time.
We will have to wait another 11 years: metro line 3 to Schaerbeek and Evere is now scheduled for… 2035
For the dismantling, the file is following its course. A planning permit should be requested by the end of the year. The City has already acquired a building to transfer its school activities by the start of the 2025 school year. For sports activities, temporary solutions are on the table but have yet to be finalized. The traders should leave the premises by August 2025.
Finally, regarding the northern extension towards Evere, many unknowns still exist at this time. The permit has not been obtained and the financing options are uncertain. The ball is passed to the next governments, both Brussels and federal, which are struggling to get set up. But the latest dates mentioned for the launch of the metro to Bordet were… 2035.
On the substance, the STIB maintains its “necessity” to replace trams 4-3 with a metro.Current infrastructure does not allow for increased supply“, explains Carlos Van Hove, who points out the problems of regularity, particularly at the Bourse station.”The only solution is to jump off the subway.”
Crucial step in the metro 3 project: a favourable opinion under conditions has been given for the extension between Brussels-North and Evere
In addition, work must be done in the pre-metro stations to adapt them: review the platforms, put in a ground power supply, install signaling, etc. “But they were designed for the metro”, so the adaptations should be “relatively easy”.
Finally, a passage must also be made under the tram tunnel. An intervention which will be carried out using a freezing technique.
Palais du Midi: construction giant Denys offers a cheaper alternative that preserves the building: “the building can be preserved”
A free visit without reservation
This Sunday, on the occasion of Car-Free Sunday, STIB is organizing a free visit to this construction site, without reservation, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The entrance is on Avenue de Stalingrad. For the occasion, additional stairs have been installed, as well as lights. “The work is in full swing: bring closed shoes with a solid sole. The construction site is unfortunately not suitable for people with reduced mobility,” specifies STIB.
Visitors will be able to visit the underground of the station. “We have reached a phase of construction where things are becoming very clear and limpid,” says a manager. “We can still see all the structures.” The excavations are almost finished and, by the end of the year, the “open-air” part of this construction site should be completed. The development of the station will then begin with masonry work and it will no longer be possible to see the “secrets of the construction” still visible at this time.
During this Sunday’s visit, archaeologists will also come to exhibit the remains found during the construction site. In February 2024, mammoth bones, found on site, were notably presented. But discoveries from the medieval period were also made.
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