Letter of Support from Infrabel and NMBS regarding the use of the Montzen railway site for the Einstein Telescope

The Belgian rail infrastructure company Infrabel and the Belgian national railway company NMBS/SNCB have responded positively to the Einstein Telescope EMR organisation’s request to use the railway site in Montzen (municipality of Plombières) during the telescope’s construction period. In a Letter of Support, the state-owned companies state that they wish to ‘strongly support’ this.

Confirmation

The outcome of a number of exploratory discussions on this matter was confirmed today with this Letter of Support. It was presented by CEO Benoît Gilson (Infrabel) and Patrice Couchard (NMBS/SNCB Stations Director) to Hans Plets, Chair of the Einstein Telescope EMR task force.

The railway site, covering over 44 hectares, is partly owned by Infrabel and partly by NMBS. Both are autonomous public companies. During the construction phase of the underground Einstein Telescope, the area could serve as a logistics hub and for the temporary storage and processing of soil and materials. The municipality of Plombières was also represented during the exploratory discussions.

Aim

The Letter of Support is not yet a formal agreement and has no legal status, but it opens the door to a new phase in which concrete agreements will be sought. There is still some time for this. The formal decision on the location where the Einstein Telescope will be built is expected by the end of 2027.

Support

Although responsibility lies with the Einstein Telescope EMR, Infrabel and NMBS have indicated that, should it come to that, they are willing to provide support in preparing applications for permits and any necessary amendments to existing spatial plans. Both parties also wish to assist with future developments resulting from the arrival of the Einstein Telescope that could strengthen the region and local authorities. No agreements have yet been made regarding financial aspects, nor are these part of the Letter of Support.

Sustainability

The railway site in Montzen is of interest to the Einstein Telescope for several reasons. For instance, soil and materials can be more easily transported to and from the site by rail. Using the rail network means that far fewer lorries are required, allowing operations to be carried out in a more sustainable manner. Furthermore, the site in Montzen can be set up as a storage hub and worksite during the construction phase.

Hans Plets, chair of the Einstein Telescope EMR task force:

“The Montzen railway complex plays a key role in our logistics concept for the construction of the Einstein Telescope. The more we can transport by rail and the better we can handle our soil and materials, the more sustainable the operation becomes. We are therefore particularly pleased that Infrabel and NMBS are formalising our exploratory discussions with this Letter of Support. This provides an excellent basis for continuing our discussions in the same open spirit and achieving a successful outcome.”

Benoît Gilson, CEO of Infrabel:

“I am delighted that Infrabel, together with NMBS/SNCB, is able to lend our support to the future Einstein Telescope science project. Thanks to its central and strategic location, the Montzen site can serve as an excellent base for the storage of materials and for any further developments. Furthermore, the recently upgraded track layout, including four long freight tracks of up to 750 metres, can ensure sustainable supply and removal during the potential future implementation of this project. In a subsequent phase, we can then further study and discuss this project and its possibilities together with the Einstein Telescope Project Team.”

Patrice Couchard, Director of Stations at NMBS/SNCB:

“As a key player in mobility in Belgium, at the heart of Europe, we encourage initiatives that enhance the profile of our country and its cross-border regions. By making these strategically located sites, most of which are owned by NMBS/SNCB, available, we wish to contribute fully to the success of this initiative, which is essential for the further exploration of the universe. This project of international scope not only embodies excellence and innovation, but also helps to strengthen the image of a region that is forward-looking and open to research and major European partnerships – values that NMBS supports.”