Work starts on Brussels’ new tram line 10, linking Neder-Over-Heembeek with city-centre

Brussels public transport network Stib has started construction on new tram line 10 that will connect Neder-Over-Heembeek with the city-centre, reports Le Soir.

The municipality in the north of Brussels has a growing population of 32,000 residents. This is larger than Ganshoren, Koekelberg, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Watermael-Boitsfort, according to Brussels Region prime minister Rudi Vervoort.

Stib’s forecast passenger numbers reveal that the tram line could reach between 1,600 and 2,400 people per hour during busy periods. The new line will also link Place Rogier in the centre of the capital to the Queen Astrid Military Hospital located on the border of the Flemish Region.

In addition to 10 new stops, the 5.5km-long tram line will have connections with trams 7 and 25, which pass by the Heysel Plateau and ULB university. Metro lines 2, 6 and future metro line 3 as well as bus lines 47, 53 and 56 will also be connected to this new route.

Stib is currently in the process of laying down the tracks. Work should be completed in the autumn of 2024, when the first trams are expected to be in operation. The roadworks being done in parallel to the construction phase should be finished in early 2025.

According to Vervoort, who represented the regional government alongside secretaries of state Pascal Smet and Barbara Trachte, the tram line 10 application was successfully handled by all relevant authorities and services.

After an initial consultation with local residents in 2019, the application for a permit was submitted in November 2021 and the building permit was issued on 10 November last year.

Photo: Brussels Mobility