Summary
- BESIX and BESIX Infra will demolish and reconstruct road and rail infrastructure in Diepenbeek, near Hasselt;
- The 21,8 million euro contract, awarded by Infrabel, was signed in December 2019;
- The project is part of the "Spartacus" project, which includes a new express tram line connecting Hasselt and Maastricht. This will significantly improve the fluidity and sustainability of mobility between the two cities.
The contract
Infrabel awarded to BESIX, in consortium with BESIX Infra (BESIX entity specialised in road works), the contract for the removal of the existing railway crossings in Diepenbeek or their replacement. This operation is part of the "Spartacus" project for a new express tram line to run alongside the existing L34 railway line between Hasselt and Maastricht. This project will contribute to more efficient public transport, but also to more sustainable mobility, better suited to the growing demand from users.
The 21,8 million euros contract was signed on 23 December 2019.
Ibo Perelaer, Project Director: “The Spartacus project will significantly improve the flow of urban traffic as well as sustainable mobility and will considerably reduce traffic in the city centres.”
Scope of the infrastructure work
The works include building a cyclist and pedestrian tunnel as well as road bridges, raising the platform at Diepenbeek station, laying a cycle path, demolishing multiple level crossings and renovating an adjacent road.
BESIX's experience in similar projects, together with the groups engineering skills and execution clout, is a definite asset for the successful completion of this complex and diverse infrastructure project. Apart from the constraints imposed by the urban environment, the project will be divided into several phases to allow the station and the public transport lines to remain in service at all times.
Work will be completed in mid-2022.
About BESIX
BESIX is a Brussels-based group, present in 25 countries and on 5 continents. Its iconic projects include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest tower, buildings of the European Parliament in Brussels, as well as the Grand Egyptian Museum on the Giza pyramids plateau.
In the Benelux, BESIX has carried out major infrastructure works in recent years. As part of the Railway bypass and tangent project in Mechelen, BESIX built 15 structures, including two bridges under the existing railway lines, a tunnel under the 'Leuvense Vaart' and a number of complex railway bridges. In Antwerp, in preparation for the Oosterweel junction, BESIX worked on the Ijzerlaan project, which included the widening of the Albert Canal, the renovation of the N1 Ijzerlaan and Ing. Mennes boulevard, the demolition of the old Ijzerlaan bridge and the installation of a new one. In the Netherlands, BESIX is taking part in the construction of the Theemswegtracé, a four-kilometre elevated railway viaduct.
For further information: www.besix.com
