The Belgian railway operator Infrabel deliberately schedules the most extensive construction projects for the summer because there is less commuting to work or school during that time.
With fewer commuters, fewer trains are needed, allowing Infrabel to close more tracks simultaneously without bringing the entire network to a standstill. Here is an overview of the construction projects that will disrupt train service in the coming days and weeks.
15 minutes longer travel time on Eurostar and TGV
The most significant construction projects are likely those on the high-speed rail line between Brussels and the French border, the first ever in Belgium.
These works are taking place daily through August 23, resulting in the rerouting of trains such as the Eurostar and TGV INOUI, which means it will also take them 15 minutes longer to complete the route.
Infrabel is carrying out a large-scale renovation that is expected to last until 2035, with an investment of 310 million euros; as part of this, the line will be completely out of service for about two weeks every summer.
As a result, all Eurostar and TGV trains will be rerouted to the regular (conventional) rail lines between Brussels and France, which means it will also take them 15 minutes longer to complete the route.
Also, interruptions on local trains
Due to this work – new rails, concrete ties, and new ballast or crushed stone – there will also be disruptions to domestic S-trains, or local trains. For example, train service between Halle and Silly has been suspended. On weekdays, only one out of every two S2 trains between Leuven, Brussels, and ‘s-Gravenbrakel will stop at Ruisbroek and Buizingen.
Other lines in both Flemish Brabant and East Flanders are also experiencing disruptions. The S3 trains between Dendermonde, Brussels, and Geraardsbergen are running only between Dendermonde and Brussels-South.
Passengers traveling between Brussels-South and Geraardsbergen can use the S7 trains between Vilvoorde and Halle, which, as a special arrangement during construction work, continue to Geraardsbergen.
There are different detours on weekends. On those days, there are no S3 trains running between Denderleeuw, Geraardsbergen, and Brussels-North. Passengers can use the S5 trains between Mechelen, Brussels-Luxembourg, and Halle, which will continue to Denderleeuw on an exceptional basis.
Works at stations in Laeken and Brussels-North
Infrabel will also be carrying out renovation work at the Bockstael Station in Laeken on weekends from August 8 through 23 and on weeknights from August 24 through 29 to further improve the station’s accessibility and comfort.
In addition, over the next two weeks, Infrabel will also be carrying out concrete repair work on the platform edges of platforms 6 and 7 at Brussels-North Station.
As a result of this work, train service to Jette has been adjusted. The IC trains running between Brussels-South, Jette, and Dendermonde will not stop at Brussels-Central or Brussels-North.
The S10 trains running between Dendermonde and Brussels-South will not stop at Brussels Central, Brussels-North, or Bockstael. Passengers traveling between Jette and Brussels-North can also use their train ticket to ride the MIVB/STIB buses.
In addition, the route and departure times of the S4 trains between Aalst, Denderleeuw, and Brussels-Luxembourg will change. These trains will not stop at Bockstael, Brussels-Schuman, or Brussels-Luxembourg. Exceptionally, they will stop at Brussels-South, Brussels-Central, and Brussels-North.
Disturbance on the line between Herentals and Mol
Finally, various track renewal and maintenance works are scheduled between Herentals and Mol on weeknights through September 7, as well as on the weekends of August 7-10, 14-17, and 28-31, and September 4-7.
Due to this construction work, there will be no trains running in either direction between Herentals and Mol on weekends from August 8 through September 6, except for the weekend of August 22-23. NMBS/SNCB will, however, provide replacement buses. In addition, this construction work will also affect train service on the line between Hasselt and Mol.
Construction projects in Wallonia
Several construction projects are also planned in Wallonia, including on the following lines: Arlon – Athus / Luxembourg (through August 9), Charleroi Central – Couvin (daily through August 23), Verviers Central – Welkenraedt (daily through August 23), Tamines – Namur (Sunday, August 9, and the weekend of August 15-16), Ottignies – Fleurus (daily from August 15 through August 23), Namur, Dinant, Beauraing (weekends from August 15 through September 6), Ciney – Marloie (weekends of August 15-16 and August 22-23) and Luttre – Charleroi Central (weekends of August 22-23 and August 29-30).
More information about alternative routes and replacement buses is available for each route on the NMBS/SNCB website. The online trip planner takes these disruptions into account.
