The Belgian government is allocating over 76 million euros from the European Recovery Fund to rail. With just under 70 million euros, railroad network operator Infrabel will get the lion’s share of the envelope. Among other things, the money will be used for the electrification of the network, while stations will also be upgraded with elevators.
Immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union launched a € 750 billion fund – the largest in European history – to help member states recover from the economic downturn.
Modernization of the network
Belgium received over 5 billion euros, and some of the underutilized European relaunch funds are now being diverted to the railroads, Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) announced.
Railroad network operator Infrabel will receive 69.2 million euros. More than 28 million euros of that is planned for the modernization of the network, including the renovation of 32 track sections and 18 pieces of freight infrastructure, as well as the removal of bottlenecks on key lines, such as the Brussels-Luxembourg line.
Elevators and signage for persons with reduced mobility
The electrification of the line between Ekeren and Lier, in turn, has been allocated 31 million euros. Finally, a new digital rail traffic management system is designed to improve the punctuality and fluidity of train operations.
Additionally, just under 7 million will be allocated to the railroad company NMBS/SNCB to enhance rail accessibility and multimodality. 25 train stations will receive elevators, handrails, and adapted signage for persons with reduced mobility. Additionally, there will be 6,000 extra bicycle spaces in the stations.
Behind in meeting the targets
For your information, Belgium has been allocated over 5 billion euros from the European Recovery Fund, to be paid out in installments upon reaching certain milestones.
But Belgium is behind in meeting those targets, partly due to the prolonged period of pending cases following last June’s elections. The fund runs only until the end of 2026. For projects not completed by August 2026, member states will no longer receive money.
In May, the European Court of Auditors issued a harsh verdict on the fund, finding it to be too expensive, too slow, and that, for the time being, it delivers only half of the expected results.
