Since Saturday, Antwerp’s main metro tunnel, connecting the Left Bank and the city center, has been completely closed for a large-scale renovation. If all goes well, the renovation will take approximately 11 months, expected to be completed by the end of March 2027.

To avoid a traffic gridlock, the transport companies De Lijn and NMBS/SNCB, and the City of Antwerp have developed a series of alternatives. But for Antwerp residents, commuters, and visitors wishing to visit the city center on the Scheldt, adjusting to the changes can be difficult, especially since the Oosterweel construction is still in full swing, further straining the transportation network.

No trams between the Left and Right Banks

The construction work is part of a comprehensive renovation of the tram network, which includes parts that are more than 50 years old. The Flemish public transportation company De Lijn is renovating, among other things, the track system and six kilometers of track, the tunnels (which contain asbestos), and technical installations to ensure safety and reliability.

Due to the work, the tunnel along the Opera – Meir – Groenplaats – Van Eden route will be closed, and consequently, no trams will run between the Left and Right Banks.

On the Right Bank, tram and bus service will largely remain in place, although the pre-metro connection also serves as a major artery for the historic city center that is difficult to replace. As a result, tram 11 will be the only connection to the city center for those who normally use one of the four underground tram lines, with a frequency of every 7,5 minutes and poor connections to the rest of the tram network – with Opera Square as the main transfer point.

In addition, the other tramlines on the Right Bank have also been drastically reorganized. Lines 3 and 15 have been merged into Tram A3. This line runs between P+R Merksem and P+R Boechout. Lines 5 and 9 have been merged into Tram A9. This line connects Wijnegem with Berchem Station. These trams do not run via Opera Station; instead, they connect Astrid and Diamant via an alternative route.

Alternatives

To address all the transportation issues – more than 2 million travelers use the tram tunnel each month, with approximately 1,700 passengers during rush hour – a number of alternatives have been developed to allow people to travel from the Right Bank to the Left Bank, or vice versa.

The main connection is the P5 shuttle bus between Opera and Frederik van Eedenplein of the Left Bank. It runs frequently via the Kennedy Tunnel.

In addition, bus service on the Left Bank and in the Waasland region has been expanded, and smaller shuttle buses are also running through the Waasland Tunnel between the Left Bank and the ZAS Cadix hospital on the Right Bank.

Furthermore, a temporary NMBS/SNCB station, Antwerp-Linkeroever, has reopened – after being closed for 42 years. From there, you can take the S-train or IC-train directly to destinations such as Antwerp Central, Berchem, and Ghent. For certain routes, De Lijn subscribers can temporarily use this train for free, even though they must first submit an application form.

But please note: The station is quite difficult to access for people with disabilities. There are also only 2 trains per hour in each direction.

Cyclists and pedestrians can continue to cross the Scheldt via the Sint-Anna Tunnel and the Kennedy Bike Tunnel. Additionally, the ferry services and DeWaterbus remain active as key connections, and the ferry will run more frequently.

Puzzle

In the first few days following the closure of the pre-metro tunnel between Left Bank and the city center, commuters reacted with a sense of resignation, though for many who rely on public transportation to get to school or work on time, it remains a puzzle how to get around. Others, however, feel that it’s not as bad as it seems, or they see an opportunity in it and, fearing the predicted traffic chaos or longer commutes, have purchased an electric bike.

Mobility expert Kris Peeters, however, responds very critically in De Morgen. “The catch-up work coincides with the Oosterweel construction, which is causing a lot of traffic jams. This is happening just as public transportation is operating at reduced capacity. Not enough thought was given in advance to how this could be managed.”

According to the office of Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder (N-VA), the proposed alternatives should be sufficient. These alternatives provide for a capacity of more than 2,200 passengers per hour during rush hour, well above the usual.