Antwerp-Berchem Railway Station no longer meets the standards of a modern transport hub, and NMBS / SNCB is now examining the possibility of demolishing the existing building and replacing it entirely. Rail infrastructure manager Infrabel has earmarked €37 million for a major overhaul of the station, while the federal government has decided that works will begin no earlier than 2030, Gazet van Antwerpen reports. 

No final agreement has yet been reached between the City of Antwerp, NMBS / SNCB and other stakeholders on the future of this key mobility hub. However, both the railway company and the city have confirmed that demolition of the current station remains a serious option. Built in the late 1960s and refurbished in the late 1990s, the station infrastructure is now outdated and no longer capable of handling current and future passenger volumes.

But what do with Berchem?

For years, NMBS / SNCB, Infrabel and the City have struggled to reach a solution. The poor condition of the railway bridges over the Singel and the Ring adds further complexity. Expansion on existing railway land is considered unfeasible. Earlier proposals, such as relocating the main entrance hall beneath the railway bridge at the Singel, were rejected by the city due to concerns about traffic flow.

NMBS / SNCB spokesperson Dimitri Temmerman indicated to Gazet van Antwerpen that demolition of the current building was a genuine option, although a thorough renovation was also being considered. He stated that the intention was to begin a major upgrade in the coming years to transform Antwerp-Berchem into a comfortable and fully accessible transport hub. 

Plans include modernising and raising all platforms to match the floor height of newer trains, constructing a new underpass, and installing lifts and escalators. The number of covered bicycle parking spaces is also set to increase significantly.

Money, money, money

In addition to Infrabel’s €37 million investment, NMBS / SNCB will allocate additional funding, although the exact amount has not yet been determined. 

The decision to postpone the project timeline to 2030 came as a surprise to Koen Kennis (N-VA), Antwerp’s Alderman for Mobility. He indicated that discussions with NMBS / SNCB and the Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer or Roads and Traffic Agency had been constructive and that, from the City’s perspective, most substantive issues had already been resolved. While timing remained under discussion, key decisions regarding the station’s future had effectively been made. He suggested that demolition of the current building was likely.

Train, Tram, Bus

Passenger organisation TreinTramBus has long argued that the station fails to meet modern standards. Its representative Peter Meukens pointed out that only six of the ten tracks are effectively usable for passenger services. He also highlighted safety concerns, noting that the station has limited evacuation routes due to having just one tunnel and stair access. 

Accessibility is another issue, as platforms cannot currently be reached by wheelchair users. In addition, platforms are considered too narrow, with severe overcrowding reported during peak hours, particularly on tracks 5 and 6.

In 2019, students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analysed station areas in Antwerp and proposed a more radical redevelopment. Their concept involved demolishing the existing station and constructing a new one above the Ring, behind the Post X office complex. The design envisioned a tower-like structure comparable in height to the Boerentoren, creating a new architectural landmark for the area.

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