The line Maastricht-Hasselt
was constructed by the Aachen-Maastrichts-Railroad Association and
opened Oct. 1, 1856. In 1863, when the connection Beverst - Tongeren
was built, a junction was built between Bilzen and Munsterbilzen. This
junction disappeared at the end of the 19th century (between 1889 and 1900).
From 1867 the line Hasselt - Maastricht was operated by the Grand
Central Belge; on July 1, 1900 it was nationalised.
The section
Beverst-Maastricht was
put out of service in 1992. The constructional works mainly are still in
tact, but the track is overall in disarray, in many places the rails are
cleared away or overgrown with young trees and bushes. The station
houses are torn down, except at Lanaken, in 2006 however this one was
destroyed by a fire.
A part of the former connection
Maastricht-Lanaken
will be taken in use again this year for fraight traffic on behalf of the Sappi
papermill.
19 Million Euros are involved, partly
financed by the Europen Union. In the last week of March 2007 the city
council of Maastricht promissed another 5.5 Million. Furthermore there are plans for the
restauration of the rest of the line on behalf of lightrail, again
another 60 Million Euros is needed.
