Schuman-Josaphat tunnel

A new tunnel is being constructed between Bruxelles-Schuman and the Halle-Vilvoorde railway line. The tracks will run underground from the Bruxelles-Schuman station to the Schumanplein. The current Schuman-Josaphat tunnel begins at Archimedesstraat and runs via Kortenberglaan up to the connection with the existing rail tunnel under the Jubelpark (line 26 Halle-Vilvoorde).

Start of the works

Mid-2008

End of the works

2015

Is part of this project

The Regional Express Network

Why are these works necessary?

Thanks to this work, access to Brussels by train will become easier, providing an efficient alternative to the motor car

The Schuman-Josphat connection will provide a direct link between the European district and all the main cities (including the Mechelen/Hasselt and the Leuven/Liege axes) without using the near saturated North-South connection.

Once the work has been completed, there will also be a direct link between Bruxelles-Schuman and the Brussels National Airport station.

More information about the work taking place in the Bruxelles-Schuman station

Which works does Infrabel perform?

The construction of the tunnel up to the point where it connects to the existing tunnel under the Jubelpark is taking place underground, on the basis of 4 access shafts (Archimedesstraat, Kortenbertunnel, Plaskylaan and Emile Maxlaan) and one access point via the existing rail tunnel.

This tunnel will be created in two phases:  

First, the tunnel shaft will be built and this will provide the rough tunnel construction. The new tunnel begins in Archimedesstraat and runs under Kortenberglaan, Stevinstraat and the existing ‘Belliard’ road tunnel. The route progresses via the Jamblinne de Meux square to Plaskylaan and Emile Maxlaan, where there will be a connection from the new tunnel to the existing underground railway line.

The tracks will then be laid in the tunnel and security systems will be installed (fire safety, evacuation routes, emergency exits etc).

What is done to prevent hindrance?

During the construction of the tunnel, work will take place via access shafts in order to limit inconvenience above ground as much as possible. The number of access shafts is also limited and the work will be largely manual and carried out underground.

One track of the Halle-Vilvoorde line will be out of operation in the long-term in order to transport and remove materials via the Josaphat site. This will also take place underground as much as possible in order to keep disturbance to local residents to a minimum.

In addition, there are continuous checks on movements from buildings located above the site. When fitting out the new line, special attention will also be paid to limiting vibrations and noise during use. The location and height of the sound-walls was determined via simulations carried out in the context of the procedures that were followed for the building permit. A new technique is to be employed in order to reduce vibrations:  the tracks will be installed on trough bridges that are supported by separate foundations instead of directly on the ground.

Questions?

Please contact the Local Residents Unit.

Infosessions

–

Brochures

Flyers

–

News

–