BELGIAN infrastructure authority Infrabel expects to put into operation the four-tracking between Leuven and Schaarbeek, with the December 10 timetable change, enabling SNCB to introduce a second hourly inter-city service linking Brussels and Liège in 51min.

Opening of the Leuvenboog chord from the same date will permit direct trains from the capital to Limburg, and SNCB will launch a Brussels - Hasselt service taking 49min. The completion of four-tracking between Brussels Midi and Halle will cut the Brussels - Mons journey time to 35min.

December 10 will also see the reopening to passenger services of Line 167 linking Arlon, Athus and Rodange and Line 165 from Virton to Athus. SNCB plans to run eight Virton - Athus - Rodange - Arlon trains a day, and extend its existing two-hourly Libramont - Virton service to Arlon, providing connections to Luxembourg at Rodange. CFL will run six through trains a day linking Virton and Luxembourg in 52min. Stations at Halanzy, Aubange and Messangy will be reopened at a cost of €1m, plus €200from Wallonia to fund park-and-ride facilities.

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