Project Profile: Liège Tramway (Tram de Liège), Belgium

The Liège Tramway is a modern light rail transit system designed to enhance urban mobility and sustainability in Liège, Wallonia. Delivered via a comprehensive public-private partnership (PPP), the 11.7 km line connects key city hubs with 21 stations, utilizing a fleet of high-capacity CAF Urbos trams to address the city’s growing public transport demands.

Project Fact Sheet

Technical Specifications

The core infrastructure of the Tram de Liège comprises an 11.7 km double-track line connecting the Sclessin multimodal hub in the south to Coronmeuse in the north, passing through strategic points including the Liège-Guillemins high-speed train station and Saint Lambert Square. The project included the construction of 21 modern stations designed for full accessibility. A critical component is the maintenance and storage depot in Bressoux, which serves as the central command post for all network operations, housing, and servicing the system’s rolling stock.

The system is serviced by a fleet of 20 Urbos-100 trams, manufactured by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). Each bidirectional tram measures 45 meters in length and 2.65 meters in width, offering a maximum capacity of 310 passengers, with 58 dedicated seats. The vehicles are equipped with modern passenger amenities, including full air-conditioning, digital information screens, public announcement systems, USB charging ports, and dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility, ensuring a high standard of comfort and accessibility.

Key Takeaways

• Successful PPP Model: The project’s delivery through a 31-year public-private partnership between the Wallon Transport Operator (OTW) and the Tram’Ardent consortium demonstrates a viable financial and operational model for large-scale infrastructure, covering design, financing, construction, and 27 years of maintenance.
• Urban Integration and Sustainability: By replacing overburdened bus routes with a high-capacity electric tramway, the project significantly reduces traffic congestion and emissions, contributing directly to Liège’s environmental goals and promoting integrated soft mobility with improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
• Modernization of Public Transit: The introduction of state-of-the-art CAF Urbos-100 rolling stock and a frequent, reliable service has fundamentally modernized Liège’s public transport offering, enhancing connectivity between residential, commercial, and transport hubs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When did the Liège Tramway open?

The Liège Tramway commenced full commercial service in late 2022, following a period of extensive system testing and trial runs. The network is now fully operational, serving passengers along its 11.7 km route between Sclessin and Coronmeuse.

Who built the Liège Tramway?

The Liège Tramway was delivered by the Tram’Ardent consortium under a public-private partnership agreement. Within the consortium, Colas Group was primarily responsible for the design and construction of the civil infrastructure, tracks, and stations, while CAF supplied the fleet of 20 Urbos trams, along with the signaling and telecommunication systems.