New Charleroi Centre bus station

This project involves the complete redevelopment of public transport infrastructure (TEC), in particular buses and the Charleroi light metro (MLC).

It is part of the overall project to transform the esplanade and the Sambre quays in front of Charleroi-Sud railway station and is the result of the strategic study and development of infrastructure to promote public transport through Charleroi between the N53 and the N5 to allow the insertion of a high service level bus line (BHLS).

The first phase involves relocating and doubling the tracks of the tram line that crosses the esplanade and building two new 52 m-long elevated platforms for the light metro.

The second phase involves the complete reorganisation of the platform stops, pavements, cycle paths, roadways, and bus parking areas on the site. This represents a total surface area of 28,000 m².

Particular attention is being paid to soft modes of transport, with all the pavements being renovated, all the bus stops being accessible to people with reduced mobility, and specific facilities for cyclists being provided along the entire route, including the integration of the City of Charleroi’s cycling projects around the project. Deactivated concrete is being used throughout as the finishing surface for all the traffic areas (buses, pedestrians, bicycles), as well as for the prefabricated elements making up the 2 metro platforms. All the platforms, both for the metro and for the buses, are covered with linear combinations of protective metal canopies, set on thin cylindrical poles whose thin cover sheets are assembled in an origami that stiffens the whole structure. All the metal parts of the canopies, the guardrails, and the street furniture specific to the new developments have a white lacquer finish. This is glossy on the underside of the canopies to reflect the indirect lighting of the platforms.

The third phase involves the construction of three new buildings for the TEC:

• a 175 m² reception building for users, including the ticket office. Its facades are entirely covered with digitally printed curtain walls. The building is located in the centre of the esplanade, where it acts as a signpost for users travelling between the various modes of transport: train, bus, metro, bicycle, etc. ;
• a rest building for TEC staff and drivers, with toilets and a cafeteria. With a surface area of 70 m², its facades are covered with metal gratings;
• a technical building housing the electrical and digital equipment. The last 2 buildings are discreetly housed away from public traffic, under the metro ramp, protected by a screen of vegetation attached to a trellis suspended from the viaduct.