Infrabel to replace Lokeren railway crossing with tunnel by 2030

Belgian rail infrastructure company Infrabel plans to eliminate the busy railway crossing at Nieuwe Molenstraat in Lokeren by constructing a tunnel. This ambitious project aims to significantly enhance traffic safety by removing level crossings, a key objective in Infrabel's broader strategy for Flanders.

The tunnel, designed to accommodate cars, cyclists, and pedestrians, is scheduled for completion by 2030. To make way for the new infrastructure, one house located at the corner of Nieuwe Molenstraat and Spoorweglaan will need to be demolished. According to Sabine Van Rysselberghe, the alderman for Mobility, agreements have already been reached with the property owners, and Infrabel will cover two-thirds of the expropriation costs.

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For the new tunnel, several plots of land and also the house on the corner of Nieuwe Molenstraat with Spoorweglaan will have to be expropriated. Agreements have already been made with the owners. Infrabel will pay two-thirds of the costs for the expropriations.

Infrabel will bear the full cost of constructing the tunnel itself. If the project proceeds as planned, construction is expected to commence in 2028. The Nieuwe Molenstraat crossing will be completely closed to all traffic from the autumn of 2028 for approximately 18 months, until the new tunnel opens at the end of 2030.

During the closure, vehicular traffic will be rerouted via a new bridge near the Beervelde station. Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to continue crossing the tracks using the existing cycle tunnel on Nieuwe Stationsstraat. The temporary closure will also affect the cycle superhighway, which will be rerouted via F. Hanusdreef, Nieuwe Dreef, and Singeldreef.

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From the autumn of 2028, the railway crossing will be completely closed to all traffic. That will take about a year and a half, until the new tunnel is opened at the end of 2030.