Construction of new metro line delayed until 2029

Construction of the new metro line that will run from the North train station to Evere has suffered another delay. It will not be ready until 2029.

The metro line was originally meant to be finalised by 2025, but was delayed by three more years after Beliris, the federal body responsible for financing and carrying out the works, warned that the construction timing was unrealistic last year.

Seven new metro stations will be built as part of the “Nord” metro project – Liedts, Colignon, Verboekhoven, Riga, Tilleul, Paix and Bordet.

The delay stems from the construction of the Riga station. The commune of Schaerbeek, which opposes the metro project, has launched a procedure to have the tree-lined, 19th-century Riga square listed. The Brussels government is still studying the commune’s request.  

Paul Delva, a lawmaker for CD&V in Brussels, told DH.be that the government has a number of options to ensure that the listing procedure doesn’t interfere with the metro project. “But figuring out what the best alternative is takes time, which means that the project will suffer another delay.”

Photo: DPA / Belga