In 2004, the
Project Gent-Sint-Pieters was announced as part of a bigger plan to renovate
line 50A between
Ghent and
Bruges. The reconstructions were planned between 2007 and 2022 and included: • 12 new, wider and longer platforms with more escalators and a lift for better access • one big open hall below the platforms instead of the 3 current tunnels • a tram stop with direct access to the platforms • a new bus station in front of the railway station • The
Virginie Lovelinggebouw,
East Flanders' Flemish Administrative Center • Renovation of the Maria Hendrikaplein, the square in front of the station • Renovation of the main entrance building • A new bicycle parking •
Valentin Vaerweyckweg (T4), a new trunk road connecting the station to the
ringroad of Ghent (R4) and
A10/
E40 The work is necessary to make the station more accessible and to increase capacity as the number of passengers grows every year. This eventually will lead to the removal of several period features that are not part of the classified main building, like the platform canopies, waiting rooms, and the tunnel by P. Grondy.
Timeline • In 2007, the tower at the entrance of the station has been renovated. • In 2008, a new glass canopy was placed at the main entrance. • In 2010, the murals of the main entrance hall have been renovated. The
Valentin Vaerweyckweg (T4) and the temporary tramtunnel were opened. And the first part of the new bus station was put into use. Fase 1 of the station itself (platforms 8-12) started. • In 2012, the first part of a new underground
bicycle parking station was opened, with 1.700 of the intended total of 10.000 parking spots. • In 2014, the
Virginie Lovelinggebouw was finished. • In 2015, the first new platforms (11 and 12) were put into service. • In 2017, platforms 10, 9 and 8 were put into use though 8 wasn't finished yet. The project was running late and appeared to be more expensive than anticipated. It was put on hold and new options were investigated to cut costs. • In January 2020, the
new project was announced. The main change was the roof over the platforms. Phase 2 (platforms 7-1) is planned from 2021 until 2026. • In 2021, Phase 2 of the renovation commenced, focusing on tracks and platforms 6 and 7. • In 2023, tracks 6 and 7 were fully put into service (completing platform 7-8). A new covered bicycle parking section with 1,160 spots opened at Koningin Mathildeplein. • In 2024, the bicycle parking was expanded by another 914 spots. Construction began on the viaduct for tracks 4 and 5, as well as the new
Infrabel service building and the Rinkkaai residential project. • In 2025, track 6 was opened for commuters, and work continued on the viaducts for tracks 4 and 5. Construction also started on the
Sint-Pieterspoort. • In 2026, renovation work shifted to the final group of tracks (3, 2, and 1). Construction is underway for the permanent tram station, the final section of the bus station, and the "S-building" on
Koningin Mathildeplein. The complete redesign of the public squares (Koningin
Maria-Hendrikaplein and
Koningin Mathildeplein) is scheduled to continue through 2027. Because of the restriction of Ghent's car traffic circulation in 2017, the amount of commuters using a bicycle grew. The plans were adjusted accordingly to build 17,000 bicycle parking spots in total. ==Train services==