Bilzen-Hoeselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A new bicycle and pedestrian tunnel has opened at Laakstraat as part of Infrabel’s Limburg rail upgrades, improving safety and punctuality on lines between Hasselt, Tongeren, and Sint-Truiden.
As VRT News reported, a new tunnel for pedestrians and cyclists has been installed under the railway tracks at Laakstraat in Bilzen-Hoeselt, in the province of Limburg, Belgium. A similar structure was completed at Laastraat. Officials say both tunnels are important steps to improve safety and accessibility in the city.
“The tunnel under Laakstraat weighs over 500 tons and is over 20 meters wide,”
says Frédéric Petit, spokesperson for Infrabel.
“Both tunnels are important projects. Now that the tunnel is in its final location, we can start the groundwork to re-lay the tracks.”
What major rail and safety upgrades are happening in Limburg between Hasselt and Tongeren?
With the tunnel now in place, the next stage of work will begin. This involves re-laying the railway tracks above the tunnel. Engineers will prepare the ground to ensure it is stable.
“The access ramps to the tunnel will then be constructed. After that, we’ll focus on the finishing touches so the new pedestrian and bicycle tunnel can be used in the spring of 2026.”
Train services between Hasselt and Tongeren will be stopped from Saturday, November 8th, 2025, to Sunday, November 16th, 2025. Infrabel is using this pause to carry out several major projects at the same time. The level crossing at Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat in Hoeselt is being renovated with new safety features. Work is also taking place on the rail infrastructure at the exit of Hasselt station.
“The work is right on schedule,
says Petit.
“Other areas along the route are also progressing. For example, foundation work is being carried out at the crossing on Sint-Lambertuslaan. The roof slab for the future road tunnel will be installed there in February. That tunnel is even larger than the one we opened today.”
Infrabel says the works aim to increase safety and punctuality on the Limburg railway lines. The improvements cover the tracks between Hasselt and Tongeren and between Hasselt and Sint-Truiden.
Similar railway projects have been carried out in Limburg before. In July 2025, the level crossing at Kortessem was upgraded with new barriers and signalling to improve safety. Earlier in March 2025, Tongeren station was renovated, with platforms and tracks modernised to help trains run on time and protect passengers.
