Commuters in Belgium’s eastern provinces face a difficult week after Infrabel began extensive track-renewal works on 8 November that will last until 16 November. The project affects the strategic Hasselt–Tongeren–Liège and Hasselt–Sint-Truiden lines, severing two arterial links used by thousands of workers who shuttle daily between Limburg, Brussels and German border regions.
During the nine-day blockade, no trains will run in either direction on the affected stretches. SNCB has arranged shuttle buses but warns of extended journey times of up to 60 minutes and reduced seating capacity at peak hours. InterCity services between the Belgian coast, Brussels and Genk are being rerouted or short-turned, cutting direct access to Brussels Airport for many Limburg residents and expatriate commuters.
![Major Rail Works Cripple Limburg Corridor, Forcing Detours and Replacement Buses]()
The €28-million upgrade replaces seven ageing level crossings with safer underpasses for cyclists and pedestrians, installs a new road tunnel beneath the tracks at Sint-Lambertuslaan and renews overhead lines, switches and signalling. Regional planners say the works are essential to accommodate growing cross-border passenger flows once Germany’s Aachen–Liège high-speed link is fully integrated in 2027.
For mobility managers, the disruption highlights the vulnerability of Belgium’s single-track sections outside the main North-South axis. Companies with staff in industrial parks around Genk and Tongeren are arranging pooled car services and encouraging telework where possible. Expat residents are advised to add at least 45 minutes to Brussels-bound journeys and to book airport transfers in advance.
Once completed, the upgraded corridor will raise line speeds to 140 km/h and add capacity for an extra two trains per hour, a long-term gain that should improve reliability for both daily commuters and international business travellers using Liège-Guillemins as a transfer hub.
During the nine-day blockade, no trains will run in either direction on the affected stretches. SNCB has arranged shuttle buses but warns of extended journey times of up to 60 minutes and reduced seating capacity at peak hours. InterCity services between the Belgian coast, Brussels and Genk are being rerouted or short-turned, cutting direct access to Brussels Airport for many Limburg residents and expatriate commuters.
The €28-million upgrade replaces seven ageing level crossings with safer underpasses for cyclists and pedestrians, installs a new road tunnel beneath the tracks at Sint-Lambertuslaan and renews overhead lines, switches and signalling. Regional planners say the works are essential to accommodate growing cross-border passenger flows once Germany’s Aachen–Liège high-speed link is fully integrated in 2027.
For mobility managers, the disruption highlights the vulnerability of Belgium’s single-track sections outside the main North-South axis. Companies with staff in industrial parks around Genk and Tongeren are arranging pooled car services and encouraging telework where possible. Expat residents are advised to add at least 45 minutes to Brussels-bound journeys and to book airport transfers in advance.
Once completed, the upgraded corridor will raise line speeds to 140 km/h and add capacity for an extra two trains per hour, a long-term gain that should improve reliability for both daily commuters and international business travellers using Liège-Guillemins as a transfer hub.
