The new Guillemins station - a railway station for high-speed trains

In Liège, the existing railway infrastructure was not capable of being properly used by high-speed trains. A number of elements handicapped the site of the old station: curved platforms that were too narrow, an approach speed to the station that was too low, numerous track intersections and poor positioning of the Brussels-Germany line, even though it carries the most traffic. In comparison with the old building, the route through the new station has been moved 150 m in order to meet two requirements:
- to enable straight platforms which make it easier for trains to enter and leave the station and for passengers to embark and disembark;
- to establish a harmonious link between the station and the nearby motorway network.
This link with the motorway network is provided by a bridge and a viaduct, designed by Santiago Calatrava. This Hillside entrance to the station has the advantage of the availability of a car park with 600 parking spaces, immediately next to the platforms. The station now has nine tracks and five platforms 8 m wide, thus allowing people to move around more freely. Three of the platforms, 450 m long, can accommodate double-unit HSR units.