Line 3 is a planned expansion of the Brussels Metro, running from Albert, through the existing premetro (underground tram) tunnel, and eventually terminating at Bordet. , it is under construction.
History
A very similar metro line was planned in 1969, but this project did not go ahead.
In 2009, MIVB/STIB's director-general Alain Flausch announced plans to develop north–south metro lines, because it was increasingly difficult to improve surface transport in dense suburbs, and said a line to Bordet had political consensus. In 2010, Beliris commissioned a study into the route, with approximately and 7 stations. The plan was approved in 2013, with construction scheduled to start in 2018 and the first metros running in 2022.
Beliris is responsible for building the northern part of the route, and STIB is building the rest. In June 2023, Beliris asked for help from the Belgian Government, following a series of delays and cost overruns. , construction was expected to be complete in 2032.
Route
The southern section of the line reuses existing premetro infrastructure, from Albert to Gare du Nord/Noordstation. This is expected to open in 2024. North of there, new track is being built, as far as Bordet; this is expected to be complete in 2030.
The new metro will not use the current Lemonnier station. Instead, a new station, Toots Thielemans, will be built between Gare du Midi/Zuidstation and Anneessens. Lemonnier would be rebuilt to allow tram connections, but there have been tunneling difficulties under the Midi Palace, and long delays.
Several other changes are needed on the premetro route. Electrification is changing 600V overhead line to 930V DC third-rail, and platforms designed for trams are changing to accommodate the new rolling stock.
Some tram routes will be reconfigured, working around the new metro services. Albert will become multimodal, with tram routes 2 and 3 terminating there.
The new metro stations in the northern section are: Bordet Paix/Vrede Tilleul/Linde Riga Verboekhoven Colignon Liedts
In 2012, plans were announced to build a further line to the south, as far as Uccle; at the time, it was expected to open in 2025.
Rolling stock
The metro line will use M7 trains, built by CAF.