Almost since day one, the construction of the Metro 3 that should connect north and south Brussels has encountered problems. In light of the spiralling costs and growing public dissatisfaction, one minister has voiced support for reopening political discussions about the project.
Touted as a means of alleviating the city's traffic congestion, Metro 3 will connect Evere in the north of Brussels with the southern Forest. However, the construction has faced numerous complications: works around Midi were halted for about two years with ongoing construction works displacing local businesses; the roof of the iconic Palais du Midi must now be partially dismantled, much to the anger of various civil organisations; most worryingly, the cost for the project has soared.
Originally forecast to cost €850 million in 2009, by 2022 the cost estimates had risen to €2.3 billion. Today the total cost for Metro 3 is projected to reach €4.7 billion; the Brussels-Capital Region has already taken on a debt burden of around €17 billion, according to latest estimates.
In response to the challenges facing the project, Flemish Minister of Brussels and list leader for CD&V Benjamin Dalle has argued that stopping Metro 3 should not be a political taboo – especially if the Brussels-Capital Region is to balance its budget, BRUZZ reported. "The question must be asked whether its construction is still justified in the current budgetary situation of the Brussels Region."
This makes Dalle the first Brussels politician to openly question the continuation of Metro 3. However, all other governing Brussels parties, from left to right, support the project.
Palais du Midi in Brussels has been an open construction site for years due to Metro 3 works. Credit: Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck
Considering alternatives
Dalle believes the next Brussels government, which will be elected following the regional elections in June, should make a cost-budget analysis before continuing work on Metro 3.
"The metro is much more expensive than initially estimated, AND the circumstances have changed," he said, making reference to changes in the city's needs as more people work from home and demographics evolve.
Dalle argued that in light of all the changes that have been made to the initial project, it would be reasonable to conduct an up-to-date analysis, both for converting the former "pre-metro" (tram) stops into metro stops between Albert and Gare du Nord, and for extending the line by building a 5 km tunnel between Brussels-North station and Bordet.
The minister expressed his openness to investigating alternatives to Metro 3 and warned colleagues against falling into the trap of having gone beyond the point of no return. "The main reason for continuing to invest lies in the amount already invested and not in the socio-economic added value of the extension itself".
Dalle added that this large cost – in part borne by public transport operator STIB – will inevitably come at the expense of trams and buses.
