The construction site of the Toots Thielemans metro station will be opened to the public on Car-Free Sunday. As part of the much-discussed Metro 3, the shell of this new station under Avenue Stalingrad is almost complete.
The Toots Thielemans station is an important link in the future Metro 3, which will connect Albert (in the north of Brussels) to Bordet (in the south) in just 20 minutes, making it possible for the Capital Region's public transport operator STIB to accommodate the growing number of passengers, with more comfort and regularity.
"Brussels' current metro network connects the west and the east of the city very well, but a good north-south link is missing," STIB's Carlos Van Hove, in charge of the metro section between Albert and North, told The Brussels Times.
"Metro 3 will have an impact on some of the busiest areas and municipalities of Brussels, such as Saint-Gilles, Brussels City, Schaerbeek, Evere and Forest," he added. "The Toots Thielemans station is a crucial link."
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Credit: STIB
Credit: STIB
In the first phase of the Metro 3 project, the existing pre-metro line between Albert and the North Station will be converted into a metro. For most stations, this adaptation is quite simple as they were designed from the outset to receive the metro at some point.
However, this is not the case for the Lemonnier station and its tunnels, STIB project manager Christophe Rubbens explains. "They were built in the 1950s and are not compatible with the profile of the metro. The station also doesn't meet today's safety and accessibility standards."
The Toots Thielemans station is being built to replace Lemonnier on the Metro 3 line. A connecting corridor will be built so that passengers can still connect with tram lines 51, 81 and 82 in Lemonnier. This will relieve pressure in the tunnel between Lemonnier and Midi.
Excavations almost complete
The tunnel is currently an intersection for many tram lines. It would not be possible to increase the traffic to improve the frequency of lines that use it and already there are problems with congestion that cause delays, especially during peak hours.
"The station is essential to ensure regular mobility and high capacity on the North-South axis for future generations," said Brieuc de Meeûs, CEO of STIB. "Toots Thielemans offers a modern and accessible station and regular and reliable journeys with high capacity."
The shell of the station is nearing completion and the connecting tunnel between the new station and the existing pre-metro near the Midi station is largely finished. At the beginning of September, 88% of the ground had already been excavated.
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Credit: STIB
Credit: STIB
Construction work started in October 2020 and has taken place in several phases, with the aim of minimising the impact above ground. Now that the shell of the station is complete, the next steps will take place within the station and the tunnels: laying the tracks; installing the signalling; installing electricity; and cladding the walls and floors.
STIB will open the doors to the Toots Thielemans station construction site from 10:00 to 16:00 (last entrance) on Car-Free Sunday(22 September). Visitors will be able to look behind the scenes of the Metro 3 site and see how the work is progressing.
The public will be able to enter the new station, learn more about the huge project and its importance for mobility in Brussels, and reflect on the archaeological discoveries on the site. Children can carry out tasks with an interactive app with a possible prize at the end.
