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EU Allocates €120 Million to Brussels Rail and Waterway Infrastructure
The European Commission has allocated nearly €120 million to six Belgian infrastructure projects, with over €100 million directed toward rail safety systems and waterway automation.
How we reported this
Belgium will receive up to €120 million in European funding for six transport infrastructure projects, with more than €100 million earmarked for the country's railways and waterways, according to the European Commission. The money comes from the Connecting Europe Facility, which selected 135 projects from 400 proposals submitted by EU member states.
ERTMS Rail Safety and Waterway Automation
Officials say around half the budget, €49.6 million, is set aside for Infrabel to expand the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a safety system that continuously monitors train speed based on track and train data. Another €38.8 million will go toward developing remote control centers and further automating Flemish waterways. The goal, according to Brussels policymakers, is to shift freight from road transport and reduce emissions.
Smaller amounts in the package are allocated to digitalizing waterway management and removing level crossings, the Commission confirmed in its June 2022 announcement.
Schuman-Josaphat Tunnel and Other Delayed Projects
While European funding flows in, some major Brussels infrastructure projects remain behind schedule. The €2.2 billion Schuman-Josaphat tunnel, part of the RER/GEN regional express network, was originally set for completion in 2012 but now targets 2025. Structural work on the Loi and Boileau tunnels is expected to finish by spring 2027, causing summer 2026 road closures and tram disruptions.
Beliris, the federal building agency for Brussels, has a 2023-2024 investment budget of €771 million focused on mobility, urban renewal, and culture, including the Metro line 3 northern extension. Separately, ten new cycling infrastructure projects received €1.15 million from the Bikes in Brussels Fund, including a cycle bridge in Tervuren and a separated path in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.
New Sports Infrastructure in Evere and Heysel
In June 2025, Brussels inaugurated a new €8.8 million sports complex in Evere on Avenue des Anciens Combattants. The 1,180m² sports hall is set to open to clubs and residents starting mid-August 2025, financed by Beliris. The Brussels Regional Government also launched a €43 million initiative over three years to fund sports infrastructure in neighborhoods lacking facilities, with all 19 municipalities able to submit proposals until October.
A major €50 million Sports Park is planned on the Heysel Plateau near the Atomium, including a hockey pitch, an athletics stadium with a 400m track, and a synthetic rugby/football pitch. Construction is expected to finish by 2030. Meanwhile, Brussels' first indoor cricket facility opened in Anderlecht at the Sint-Niklaas Institute, supported by €120,000 for outdoor nets to attract youth to the sport.
The Brussels Region allocated €21.3 million in December 2023 to 17 local sports infrastructure projects, prioritizing less-equipped neighborhoods like Peterbos and Evere. Mabo Brussels also opened a new playground and sports hall on January 15, 2026, after a two-year construction period to address capacity needs in the multilingual education network.
What happens next: Officials say the EU-funded rail and waterway projects are expected to move forward under Infrabel and Flemish waterway authorities, while the delayed Schuman-Josaphat tunnel and Heysel Sports Park await further construction milestones. Residents can follow updates via Beliris and the Brussels regional government.