Resigning Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Green) responded to a question from Benjamin Dalle (CD&V).
Van den Brandt gave a status of the works on metro 3. The conversion of Albert station into a multimodal hub is on schedule, and the shell for Toots Thielemans station is almost ready, so that Stalingradlaan can be opened in the course of 2025. redesigned. A compensation scheme has also been developed for the affected traders.
A new setback is announcing itself for phase II, from North Station to Bordet. In the spring of 2023, two contractors submitted a quote for the construction of the 4.5 kilometer tunnel, seven stations and a metro depot in Haren. The price of these quotes was considerably higher than the original estimates, and the Brussels government asked Beliris last year to analyze the quotes ‘line by line’ in order to reduce costs.
That analysis is now complete. According to the legal part of Beliris’ analysis, the quotations are ‘irregular’, Van den Brandt replied. One of the two quotations could still be regularized, but then, according to Beliris, only one quotation remains, and therefore there is no longer any competition.
Beliris therefore proposes to launch a new public outsourcing, after a cooling-off period. In the meantime, the specifications can be revised in the hope that costs can be reduced.
Other options
According to Beliris, other options than the classic tender should also be considered: either a division of the tender into different lots, or a private-public partnership.
A technical solution is in the making for the problem at the North Station, where a connecting tunnel has touched the groundwater layer. It was previously announced that the tunnel will probably be excavated from above, above the groundwater layer, which could have an impact on train traffic on the North-South connection. This is being negotiated with Infrabel and NMBS. A final decision will be made at the end of this year. The additional costs for those works will then also be known. The permit for this has not yet been issued.
Van den Brandt also provided a new estimate of the costs for metro 3, as well as a timing. The costs have already risen to 4.6 billion euros. If everything goes according to plan, the metro could be put into use in 2031, but financing must first be found. The outgoing Brussels government explicitly looks at the new federal government.
The Metro 3 Misadventure: A Comedic Take on Mobility Madness
Well, well, well! Grab your hard hats and your sense of humor because we’re taking a deep dive into the wonderfully wacky world of Brussels’ Metro 3 project! It seems like every time they get their shovels out, they hit a bigger issue than my last stand-up gig! Our favorite recently-resigned Minister of Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt (Green), was asked by Benjamin Dalle (CD&V) how things were going. Spoiler alert: It’s like asking a magician to pull a rabbit out of a hat, only the rabbit has vanished and the hat is now a puddle of disappointment!
The Status Quo…Or Lack Thereof
First, the good news (yes, there’s some)! The transformation of Albert Station into a multimodal hub – which sounds fancier than it probably is – is on schedule, and the skeleton of Toots Thielemans station is almost ready. It’s like watching a very flamboyant building come to life, though I suspect it won’t be performing at the Brussels cabaret any time soon! Stalingradlaan might just be prancing open in 2025, but who’s counting? Only the traders affected, who might be looking for new careers as professional shrug-makers!
The Setback Saga
And here comes the plot twist! Phase II, the only thing standing between North Station and Bordet, is now facing what we might call a “minor inconvenience” — like when you find out your date is actually a mime. Two contractors quoted for a 4.5-kilometer tunnel, and wouldn’t you know it, the prices came in like they were decorating a luxury hotel, not a subway!
Van den Brandt was quick to say the quotes were deemed “irregular,” and that’s not just a polite way of saying “they were on a completely different planet.” One can still be regularized! But wait! There’s only one quote left! It’s like going to a buffet and finding one sad piece of lettuce. No competition means no fun, and Beliris kindly suggested – after a sufficient cooling-off period (add that to your calendar, folks) – to launch a whole new outsourcing process. Because who doesn’t love a trip down the bureaucratic rabbit hole? You can practically hear the tumbleweeds rolling by!
Rethinking Tender Options
Now, if all that technical jargon opens your eyes wider than a kid at Christmas, let’s simplify: Beliris is suggesting we split the tender into smaller bits or fancy it up with a public-private partnership. So basically, they’re considering turning shopping for a contractor into a game show. “Who Wants to Be a Metro Millionaire?” Well, let me tell you, the answer seems to be, “Nobody!”
Groundwater Tug-of-War
And about that shaky business at North Station? Apparently, the connector tunnel has thrown a tantrum and decided to flirt with the groundwater layer. I mean, who hasn’t had a moment where they went a little too far underground? The new idea is to dig from the top. “Exhibit A in avoiding lawyer fees,” you might say! But of course, that might have ripple effects on train traffic, leaving commuters in a delightful state of uncertainty. A final decision will be made by the end of the year when we also find out about the hidden costs. Let’s just say, this reveal might be less dramatic than a soap opera, but only just!
The Price Tag That Made Us All Gasp
As if this rollercoaster ride needed a cherry on top, Van den Brandt gave us a delightful new price estimate: 4.6 billion euros! That’s right, folks! If everything goes according to “plan” — which is a massive if — we might just have a shiny new metro line ready for use in 2031. Mark your calendars, and while you’re at it, invest in a good time machine to help us avoid this endless cycle of commotion!
All of this, and the outgoing Brussels government is simply looking at the new federal government like a starving man eyeing a four-course meal. Can they foster the funds needed? Will we ever again enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted underground ride? Your guess is as good as mine, and I’d wager that even your pet goldfish has more certainty!
In Conclusion…
Ah, the thrilling world of public transportation projects! It’s like a never-ending sitcom where budget woes steal the show, and every episode ends on a cliffhanger. So, let’s raise our mugs (of bitter coffee) to Brussels Metro 3: we see you, we appreciate your attempts at mobility, and we can’t wait for the laughter (and tears) yet to unfold! Cheers!
