Pairi Daiza Zoo to Gain New Road Access Alongside New Train Station
BRUSSELS,Belgium – Pairi Daiza,the Benelux region’s most popular zoo,is set for significant improvements to accessibility for both drivers and public transport users,officials announced this week. The upgrades aim to alleviate traffic congestion in surrounding villages and boost train passenger numbers to the park.
Currently, visitors often navigate detours and local roads to reach the zoo, causing frustration for residents who have long complained about traffic jams and crowded shortcuts.Walloon Minister François Desquesnes confirmed work is underway on a new access road connecting to the highway via the east side of Gages.
Alongside the new road, a new train station is planned directly at Pairi Daiza, aiming to increase train passenger share from 3% to 10% of all visitors. Currently, visitors disembarking at the nearby Cambron-Casteau station face a fifteen-minute walk to the park entrance. The new station will eliminate this walk, with Pairi Daiza constructing a second entrance just 150 meters from the platforms, styled after an old Indian station at a cost of 10 million euros.
The project also includes rerouting existing train tracks, a cost of approximately 4.8 million euros. Pairi Daiza will contribute 400,000 euros towards this, with the remainder funded by railway manager Infrabel and operator NMBS. Construction is slated to begin next summer, with both the new road and rail improvements expected to be completed by 2028. Permit applications for the new road are anticipated next year, targeting an opening date of late 2027 or 2028.