First electric train runs on freight line Goederen Genk-Bilzen
The electrified Genk Goederen-Bilzen freight line was officially opened on Monday, in the presence of, among others, Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters (Open Vld). The electrification constitutes an important investment for Limburg as well as the freight traffic along the strategic railway axis between Antwerp and the German border, according to Infrabel. The total cost for Infrabel amounts to 20 million euros.
In mid-May 2021, Infrabel began infrastructure works on the 12.5 km long railway line between the "Genk-Goederen" freight station and the Rooierweg branch line in Bilzen (line 21C). These were linked to the works already planned by De Vlaamse Waterweg nv for raising the new bridge over the Albert Canal.
Throughout the works on line 21C, freight trains were diverted via the modified and renewed tracks in Kuringen and Hasselt. Within the framework of the 'Masterplan Hasselt', Infrabel laid two tracks there specifically for freight traffic in the spring of 2021. Passenger and goods trains will thus be separated.
Hasselt therefore served as a temporary diversion route for the freight trains from Genk. Since Monday, however, freight trains from Genk-Goederen can once again travel directly and faster - 18 km shorter and with a 15 to 20 minute time gain - via line 21C in the direction of Germany. The electrification is an important investment for Limburg and for freight traffic along the strategic railway axis 'Antwerp - German border' (Montzen route), as well as further to Southern Europe and the East, according to Infrabel.
Infrabel's total investment for the electrification, signalling and track work between Genk-Goederen and Bilzen amounts to € 20 million, with intervention from Europe via the EU RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility). This way, Infrabel says it wants to underline its ambition and that of the government to promote the transport of goods by rail and to realise the modal shift from the current 9 to 16 percent by 2030.
"The renovation of the railway bridge in Genk is a model of sustainable and safe mobility. Infrabel seized the opportunity to raise the height of the bridge to enable the further electrification of railway line 21C", says Minister Peeters. "In this way, we are together strengthening the alternatives to the lorry and improving the flow of traffic on the road. With investments like this one in Genk, we are making traffic in Flanders more sustainable, smoother and safer. A win-win for everyone."
Between 2022 and 2024, Infrabel will invest another €1.82 million in the Genk-Goederen terminal, more specifically in the renovation of tracks and switches. This should benefit the Port of Genk and several companies, such as Aperam, Arcelor-Mittal and Staal Magazijn Limburg, in the Genk-Zuid industrial zone.
With the extra funds from the Belgian and European recovery plans, Infrabel will invest a total of EUR 131.4 million in freight rail transport and the ports in Flanders between 2022 and 2024. This involves investments in the ports of Antwerp, Ghent-Zeehaven and Zeebrugge, as well as the construction of the third and fourth tracks between Ghent and Bruges, and modernisation works on the main freight axes. In addition, 45.6 million euro will be invested in rail freight transport in Wallonia.
© BELGA PHOTO JORIS VLIEGEN