Schuman-Josaphat Tunnel

The Schuman - Josaphat tunnel will connect to a length of 1.25 km, the railway stations Schuman and Meiser twofold. The tunnel is an important element of the modernization of the Brussels Vorortzugsystems, which is marketed under Réseau Express Régional (RER).

Thus, the travel time from the European quarter to Zaventem Airport is shortened from 30 minutes to less than 15 minutes and the north-south relieves main railway line.

Project details

The project began in June 2008 and for 2015 with commissioning planned. The tunnel begins in the Archimedesstraat / Rue Archimede and passes under the Kortenberglaan / Avenue de Corte Bergh, Stevinstraat / Rue Stevin and under the existing Belliard tunnel. The route then passes over the Jamblinne de Meuxplein / Place de Jamblinne de Meux to Eugène Plaskylaan / L'avenue Eugène Plasky and Émile Maxlaan / L'avenue Emile Max, where the connection of the new tunnel to the existing underground railway line is provided.

A working group, of which 60 % of the Dutch BAM Group companies ( Wayss & Freytag Engineering AG, Galère, CEI - De Meyer) and 40% from non- BAM Group companies belonging (Jan De Nul, Franki Geoconsult ) is given, has received an order for the production of this rail link. The project with a total of over 200 million euros includes the adaptation of the station Schuman. Since the tunnel runs through a residential area and begins with the EU institutions, an attempt is made to limit all outward signs that might indicate a construction site, so that a large part of the construction work is done underground.

A portion of the tunnel is dug directly under an existing road tunnel. The plane of travel of the car tunnel is used here as a temporary roof construction of the railway tunnel.