In the spring half-term (Krokusvakantie) of 2026, Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel will refurbish the derelict Antwerp-Linkeroever (Left Bank) railway station. The station must be ready to receive passengers when Flemish tram and bus company De Lijn closes the tram tunnel beneath the Scheldt in May.
No trains have stopped at this station since 1982, and that situation will return once trams resume running under the river.
In mid-February 2026, during the week-long spring half-term, Infrabel has scheduled a full five-day line closure on line 59, the railway between Antwerp-Berchem and Ghent-Dampoort.
Between 16 and 20 February 2026, the infrastructure manager will carry out several repair works and no trains will run on that stretch. Infrabel will use this opportunity to bring Linkeroever station back into a condition suitable for passenger use. The station is currently neglected and overgrown.
Antwerp’s Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA), requested two years ago that NMBS / SNCB and Infrabel reopen the station, which has not been used since 1984. The aim is to provide a temporary alternative during the closure of tram services between the left and right banks of Antwerp. The tram tunnel will undergo necessary maintenance from May onwards, and initial indications suggest the work will last longer than the planned seven months.
Senior political figures in the same party, including Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder, have supported the initiative. De Wever brought together the relevant ministers and the top leadership of NMBS / SNCB and De Lijn at his official residence, stressing the importance of reopening the Linkeroever station.
NMBS / SNCB subsequently agreed and announced this summer that the hourly stopping service between S34 Antwerp and Dendermonde (Termonde) will call at the station in both directions from May 2026. During peak hours, trains on this line will offer capacity for 560 passengers instead of the usual 280. On weekdays, the hourly intercity service between Antwerp and De Panne (La Panne) will also stop at the station.
The station, which opened in 1970, is located near the Gazet van Antwerpen offices at the end of Katwilgweg. A busy link road between the E17 and E34 motorways once ran between the Katwilgweg and the railway, but this has since been removed.
On Thursday afternoon, excavation works were underway on the site. Plans include parking for cars and shared bicycles. The location is less convenient for residents of central Linkeroever, as it is a 30-minute walk from the Frederik Van Eeden metro station, but it is well positioned for the newer Regatta district.
Works on the station infrastructure itself will begin during the spring half-term. The stairways leading to the platforms are heavily damaged and will require replacement, and the platforms also need extensive cleaning and refurbishment.
Infrabel says the station will be ready when tram services are suspended in May. The stop — essentially a modest halt rather than a full station — was in service for only fourteen years. NMBS /SNCB closed it in 1984 because fewer than 200 passengers boarded or alighted there each day. After 42 years, it will reopen, but only temporarily; once trams resume running under the Scheldt, trains will cease stopping there again.
On the look of Antwerp
- Antwerp-Linkeroever Railway Station to reopen in 2026!.
- Antwerp-Berchem Railway Station up for major revamp.
- ANTWERP | Improving traffic safety on Belgiëlei and Klein-Antwerpen.
- ANTWERP | Top Boerentoren to be restored to 1930 look unless new plans are approved.
- City of Antwerp presents design proposals for Meir redevelopment.
- Flanders selects Bovenbouw Architectuur and Christ & Gantenbein as architects for M HKA museum of contemporary art.
- ANTWERP | Redevelopment of the Paardenmarkt one step closer.
- ANTWERP | New owners to explore future for Shopping Stadsfeestzaal on the Meir.
- ANTWERP | Groenplaats redesign planned for 2026.
- ANTWERP | ‘Blinds’ Martin Margiela at Schuttershofstraat.
- ANTWERP | Flemish Culinary Centre Smaakhaven at Loodwezen to open in 2029.
- Antwerp unveils texts and names for monument in honour of WWII victims.
- City of Antwerp commissions ‘Collectie Centrum’ to store heritage collection.
- 17th century Antwerp Citadel decorative vase gets prominent place at KMSKA.
- Antwerp erects cenotaph for deceased Congolese from 1894 World Exposition.
- ANTWERP | Redesign works of Wapper start in 2026.
- ANTWERP | Final design Linkeroever Scheldt Banks South approved.
- ANTWERP | Preliminary design of Ringpark ‘Cluster Centraal’ approved.
- Which flags get to fly at Antwerp City Hall?.
- ANTWERP | Market exploration questions the future of the Stadsschouwburg Theatre Building.
- ANTWERP | Meir Shopping Street set for major redesign in 2027.
- Antwerp-South Railway Station and surroundings get makeover.
- ANTWERP | Northern Pavillion at Scheldt’s Northern Terrace gets revamp.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk).
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | St. Paul’s Church (Sint-Pauluskerk).
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Scheldekaaien or Scheldt Quays.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Zurenborg.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Cogels-Osylei between Berchem and Antwerp’s Zurenborg neighbourhood.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | De Gerlachekaai at the Scheldt.
- AREAS OF ANTWERP | Sint-Andriesplein.
- Rainbow zebra crossing in Borgerhout.
- Rainbow zebra crossings of Antwerp.
- Rainbow zebra crossing in Berchem.
- Antwerp designs future of Scheldt Left Bank riverside.
- ANTWERP | Major revamp of the Meirbrug – Suikerrui – Scheldt Quays axis to complete the Via Sinjoor.
- ANTWERP | Looking for Linkeroever Railway Station.
- PHOTOS | Het Steen, Antwerp’s new Visitor Centre.
- VIDEO | Walking the future Spoorpark between Zurenborg (Antwerp) and Borgerhout.
- 5 spots in Antwerp to soak up the sun for free..
- ANTWERP | Community centre coStA to become ANDRS in 2027 after major revamp.
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