Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Mechelen’s NMBS has opened platform 1 with escalators. Platform 2 is now in use but only accessible via temporary stairs. The renovation will cost €500 million and finish by 2030.
NMBS has opened the new raised platform 1, which now has escalators and elevators for easy access. Last weekend, the first train arrived at Platform 2, but right now, people can only get there by using temporary stairs and an elevator. Platform 2 connects to the old platform 3 through three passages. With platform 2 in use, the first phase of a five-phase renovation is complete. Work has also started on platforms 8, 9, and 10, with old structures being demolished and a ramp built to help move materials for the new construction.
What upgrades are planned for Mechelen’s transport infrastructure?
De Lijn’s buses have improved access with the construction of a new road called the Diagonal, designed for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians. This road will be perpendicular to the train tracks, making it easier for buses to reach the future bus station. In the next phase of construction, new platforms 9 and 10 will be built, matching the design of existing platforms. While Infrabel updates the track infrastructure, travelers can expect minimum disruptions, with enhancements like escalators planned for better access to platform 11.
Mechelen in Beweging has warned that there will be noise, dust, and vibrations during the big construction project. They are working to help travelers navigate the area safely. New platforms 9 and 10 will be ready by the end of 2026, with platforms 3 and 4 following in early 2027. The project will allow trains to keep running while work is done, and it will finish by 2030 with a new station square. The total cost of the project is around half a billion euros.
