2023-11-29 10:59:00
The board of directors of Infrabel approved, on Tuesday, the borrowing of up to 1 billion euros intended to realize various projects to increase the capacity of the rail network. Among these are the completion of the RER, AXIS 3 (Ottignies-Luxembourg border) and the Ghent-Bruges line, as well as extensions in the ports (Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp).
This is part of the envelope of 16.4 billion euros decided in December 2022 for the next ten years. This Tuesday, the board of directors of Infrabel decided that a first tranche of 800 million euros will be activated from 2025.
“By exceptionally taking out its own loan, the board of directors assumes its responsibility to complete major infrastructure projects such as the RER and major port projects,” said Jan Cornillie, president of the board of directors of Infrabel, in a press release. For CEO Benoît Gilson, this decision “is a lever to improve the performance of the rail network for the benefit of our customers, the Modal Shift and the national economy.”
“This additional billion euros will make it possible to accelerate the completion of projects as emblematic as they are fundamental on our rail network, in particular the RER on the Walloon side, the Brussels-Luxembourg link and the opening up of our ports”confirms the Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet.
He sees it as a complement to the additional funding that the federal government has made available for rail since the start of the legislature. “After years of underinvestment and cut budgets, our railway companies are now on ambitious and, above all, secure financing trajectories for the years to come,” according to Minister Ecolo.
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