The new Toots Thielemans station
The missing link
As part of the extension of metro line 3, the stations on the existing pre-metro line between Gare du Nord/Noordstation and Albert are being converted into metro stations. The only exception being the Lemonnier station. This station was built in the 1950s and was not designed to be a metro station. What's more, the station no longer meets today's requirements in terms of accessibility and passenger comfort. It has therefore been decided to build a new metro station nearby, called Toots Thielemans. The Lemonnier station will remain in service for tram lines 51 and 82. It will also be completely renovated and linked to the new metro station by a walkway to ensure a smooth connection between tram and metro.
Building the future metro station entails a number of challenges. It is one of the most ambitious and complex construction projects in Brussels nowadays. Connecting tunnels will have to be built to link the new station with the existing pre-metro line. The new infrastructure will run under the existing tram tunnel and under the Palais du Midi/Zuidpaleis.
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Toots Thielemans agreement
Given the considerable extent and impact of the works, the project partners have drawn up an unprecedented set of support measures, listed in the Toots Thielemans Agreement. This convention was signed by the STIB-MIVB, the regional government, Brussels Mobility, hub.brussels, the municipality of Saint-Gilles/Sint-Gillis and the City of Brussels.
A series of support measures have already been taken thanks to this agreement. An ombudsman, a hyper-coordinator and a project facilitator, among others, have been recruited. Since the start of the works, a discussion panel has also been set up to enable all the parties concerned to hold a dialogue for effective project management. These meetings take place approximately once a month.
Stalingrad Village opened in September 2020. It is a small shopping centre located on the central berm of Avenue Stalingrad/Stalingradlaan and is home to seven shops that had to be temporarily relocated from the Palais du Midi/Zuidpaleis because of the works.
Throughout the project, a budget has also been allocated to ensure the attractiveness of the site through attractive wrapping and the introduction of specific campaigns and events.
In February 2020, the City of Brussels submitted a building permit application for the redevelopment of the Avenue de Stalingrad/Stalingradlaan, following a participatory process involving the neighbourhood.