New Mons Train Station Set to Open After Decades of Delays

The long-awaited new train station in Mons, designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is set to open this Wednesday, December 4, 2024, following years of delays and budget overruns.

The station, affectionately dubbed “the Calatrava,” marks the fourth iteration of the Mons railway station and represents a significant shift in the town’s transport infrastructure.

The official inauguration of the new station is scheduled for January 31, 2025, during the city’s “Mons en lumières” festival.

However, the station will be operational starting this week, finally replacing the old 1950s structure, which had been closed to passengers in 2013 and demolished shortly thereafter as part of modernization efforts.

The original Mons train station, which opened on December 19, 1841, was located at the current Place Léopold and was a vital link on the Midi-line connecting Brussels to Paris.

This first building was replaced in 1874 by a much larger station, which stood nearly 200 meters long.

However, it was destroyed during World War II in American bombings on May 10, 1944. A new station was built in 1952, but it was eventually closed for passenger services in 2013.

The initial design for the new station, conceived by Calatrava, was a bridge that would span the tracks, connecting the historic center of Mons with the new Grands Prés neighborhood.

This concept evolved into a “station-bridge” project, a stunning architectural feat that required the demolition of the existing 1950s station.

While the vision for the new Mons train station has been lauded for its innovative design, the project has been marred by significant delays and escalating costs.

Originally scheduled to be completed in 2023, the station is eight years behind the original timeline, mainly due to funding issues and construction setbacks.

A report by the Court of Auditors in 2022 pointed to a range of issues, including a flawed architectural competition, inaccurate budget estimates, and a lack of adequate monitoring throughout the project.

The initial budget for the station stood at €37 million, but costs have ballooned over the years. SNCB’s station director, Patrick Couchard, revealed in November that the final cost estimate for the project has reached €480 million. Additionally, the station is expected to incur an annual maintenance cost of nearly €1 million.

Despite these challenges, the opening of the new Mons station is seen as a crucial step toward modernizing Belgium’s railway infrastructure.

The station’s design is expected to enhance the connection between the town’s historic center and the Grands Prés district, serving as a key hub for commuters and visitors alike.

As the SNCB moves forward with the station’s inauguration and its plans for ongoing operations, officials are hopeful that the new facility will contribute significantly to the local economy and provide a modern, efficient transport link for the region.