The Brussels public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the Metro 3 project in Brussels. It wants to investigate whether criminal offences were committed during the public tender process. Earlier this month, the court of auditors published a damning audit of the planning and construction of metro line 3 in Brussels. There are allegations of mismanagement, conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency in the studies.
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Public Prosecutor's Office opens investigation into tender for new Brussels metro line 3
Colin Clapson
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The report suggests that a number of construction companies received preferential treatment. The court of auditors criticises the construction company Beliris, a joint venture between the Belgian state and Brussels region that undertakes building and renovation work in the capital, and the publicly-owned Brussels local transport company, the MIVB, for a lack of transparency, an inconsistent decision-making process, violations of public procurement law and uncertain financing. Earlier this week, the Brussels Parliament gave the green light for the establishment of a special select committee.
Now the Brussels public prosecutor's office has also opened an investigation into the entire project. ‘After reading the court of auditors’ report on the Metro 3 project, the public prosecutor has decided to open an investigation,’ the public prosecutor's office says.
The Belgian anti-corruption agency (CDBC) has been tasked with analysing the irregularities cited by the court of auditors. The investigation will determine whether any criminal offences were committed in relation to the public tender. In the interests of the ongoing investigation, the public prosecutor's office is not disclosing any further information.
The MIVB says it has nothing to hide and will cooperate fully with the investigation.
New and expensive metro line
Metro line 3 is a planned metro line along the Brussels North-South axis, which will eventually replace the existing premetro and tram connection between Vorst and Evere.
In the first phase, the metro will connect the Albert station in Vorst with the North Station. This will involve, among other things, digging a new tunnel between the South Station and the Anneessens metro station. There will also be a new metro station on the Stalingradlaan. In the second phase, the line will be extended northwards to Bordet in Evere.
The cost of the project has risen from an initial estimate of just under a billion to 4.8 billion today. Finding that cash is a challenge for the Brussels-Capital Region that is already struggling. According to the court of auditors, it is unclear how the Brussels Region will pay for the completion of the entire project.