Construction update Mechelen Station: Safe passage despite works on the Arsenal side

Good news for everyone traveling by train through our station! Work is underway to make everything even better. Now that the old platforms 9 and 10 have been razed, it is time for the next step: the demolition of a piece of the station hall on the Arsenal side and the excavation of the construction pit. Exciting! Continue reading below the photos

Specifically, what does this mean?

As of March 26, the contractor will create an additional access road on the Antwerp side, approximately at the level of platform 11. This new road is very important, because this is the place where the trucks can remove the excavated soil and deliver the material for the new construction (think of solid steel and concrete).

Just a word of caution: this does mean that these trucks may cross pedestrians walking in and out of the station. But don’t panic! Great care will be taken to ensure that a safe and clear walking route is marked at all times. This work will take approximately from March to April and the new situation is expected to be in effect until the end of 2026.

What will you notice as a traveler? Three key changes:

1. Stairs platform 11 and 12: The new yard access will close the stairs on one side (towards Antwerp). But there will be a smart, temporary staircase to platform 11, right where the new escalators will later be. Good to know: the stairs on the Brussels side, the elevators and escalators on platform 12 will remain in use as usual.
2. Platform 7 gets temporary stairs: Again, the old escalators will disappear for a while and there will be a temporary replacement. And the concrete passage under the old platforms 8, 9 and 10? That’s going out! But not to worry, via a convenient container path, you walk safely to your train and back. And the coffee bar and vending machines? Those just move a little further down the hall.
3. Bicycle parking Arsenal side: There will be movable gates here at the intersection of the new yard road and the footpath. Along with additional signs, a sound signal and lights, you will be warned when a truck is approaching. Just stop as the truck passes, and you can safely proceed again.

Safety first, even for truck traffic!

The trucks adhere to strict safety rules. For example, transports are avoided during rush hours. The full trucks with soil are neatly covered. They travel via the Leuvensesteenweg, Motstraat and Hanswijkvaart. At the Coloma Bridge, there are extra concrete blocks and signs to guide them safely. And after each working day, the road is cleaned, although unfortunately some dust in dry weather and mud in rain cannot be completely avoided. The Minor Nuisance Team keeps a close eye on everything to ensure the best possible safety and flow for everyone.

Kiss & Ride, parking and Toy Museum remain accessible!

Also in the Kiss & Ride of the underground parking lot, the work area will be slightly larger. The pedestrian area will be slightly smaller and partially closed. Demolition of the temporary wall will start soon. But good news: the Kiss & Ride will remain open as usual! And because it is sometimes busy there, SNCB offers a convenient alternative: you can park for free for 30 minutes in the underground parking lot to drop someone off or pick them up. The underground parking and the super fun Toy Museum also remain accessible at all times.

A station of the future, above and below ground!

Meanwhile, Mechelen’s new station is becoming a reality. Thanks to the canopy, it will not only be a beautiful sight, but it will also be super functional and comfortable underground. Where today there is a narrow corridor, in 2030 there will be a giant space of 100 by 100 meters! On the first floor there will be two passageways with stores.

And underground? There will be a real square (plaza) with a ring-shaped parking for as many as 5,000 to 7,000 bicycles! This -1 level provides a 24/7 connection between the different parts of the city. All floors are conveniently connected by elevators, (rolling) stairs and sloping ramps to the plaza. In short, a station completely tailored to our current and future needs!

We’ll keep you posted on further developments!