Location Belgium Structure type underground Address 2060 Antwerp, Belgium Level 3 | Operated by De Lijn Platform levels 3 Opened 1 April 1996 | |
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Similar Zegel, Meir premetro, Opera, Carnot, Sint‑Willibrordus | ||
Astrid is a station in the Antwerp premetro network that was opened on April 1, 1996. The station lies directly under the Koningin Astridplein on the Gemeentestraat side. The station is one of the two premetro stations in Antwerp servicing passengers from Antwerp Central Station, the other being Diamant, which lies to the south of Astrid.
Contents
Location
Astrid station lies under the northern part of the Astridplein square. Adjacent to the square lie the Radisson Blu hotel, the entrance gate to the Antwerp Chinatown and the Aquatopia aquarium on the northern side, the Koningin Elisabethzaal and Antwerp Zoo on the eastern side and Antwerp Central Station on the southern side. Also, the Rooseveldtplaats bus station, serving a large portion of all bus traffic in the city, lies some 200 meters to the west of Astrid station.
Layout
The -1 level of the station contains the entrance hall and two platforms lying in an east-west orientation. The platforms were opened on April 18, 2015, along with the opening of the Reuzenpijp tunnel and the introduction of tram route 8. At present, they are serviced only by route 8, having its terminus in Astrid station. Trams coming from Wommelgem and Borgerhout arrive at the northern platform, where passengers can get out. The trams then continue westward toward the Rooseveldtplaats underground turning loop, and drive back to Astrid station, allowing departing passengers to enter the tram on the southern platform.
The -2 level contains two more halls, giving access to the -3 and -4 levels and allowing passengers to cross the tracks at the -1 level.
The levels -3 and -4 contain two north-south oriented platforms serviced by routes 2, 3, 5 and 6. The platform on the -3 level is serviced by trams going south to Diamant, or west to Opera, using the central railway triangle under Antwerp Central Station. The -4 level is used by trams going north toward Deurne, Wijnegem, Merksem and Luchtbal.
Since December 2006, station is also connected to the newly built underground car park under the Astridplein. Using a walkway running through the car park, passengers can also reach the Antwerp central station and Diamant premetro station without having to come above ground.
Extension
From its opening in 1996 until the opening of route 8 and the Reuzenpijp tunnel on April 18, 2015, only the platforms on the -3 and -4 levels were in use. The two platforms on the -1 level, built between 1977 and 1981, were hidden behind wooden panels and inaccessible for passengers. In March 2013, works started to refurbish the station in a more modern style, and to open the east-west platforms as a part of the LIVAN-project, which included the opening of the eastern premetro axis. Since April 18, 2015, when the premetro tunnel was officially put into service, the platforms at the -1 level are serviced by route 8.
It is planned that tram route 10, which now has its stop above ground, will join route 8 in the premetro tunnel in 2018, after the opening of the Foorplein branch of the Reuzenpijp. After the opening of the metro entrance at the Leien and the opening of the -3 level of Opera station, trams using the eastern premetro tunnel will no longer have to have their terminus at Astrid station.