User:Cinoreros/Tram route 1 (Antwerp)

Tram route 1 is a historical and future tram route in the City of Antwerp. As of 2019, the tram route will connect the Bolivarplaats in the Zuid neighborhood with the Havana site in the Luchtbal neighborhood to the North via the Leien and Noorderlaan.

Trajectory
Bolivarplaats-Amerikalei-Britselei-Frankrijklei-Italiëlei-Noorderplaats-Kempenstraat-Noorderlaan-Havana site.

Historical route (1902-1965)
Tram route 1 has already existed in the past from September 2 1902 until July 14 1965, running on a comparable North-South trajectory as the current line, between the Antwerpen-Zuid passenger railway station and Antwerpen-Dokken en -Stapelplaatsen cargo station. In 1902, it was the first electrified tram route in Antwerp, and consequently it received the number 1. During the First World War, service on the route continued, although only until 8 o'clock. During the Second World War it became soon impossible to operate the line, due to damage inflicted on it. However, service could later slowly be resumed, and in 1944 the line was again fully operational. The line was eventually replaced a bus line in 1965, when the tram tracks at Antwerpen-Zuid station, as well as the old station itself, had to make place for the Kennedytunnel under the river Scheldt. Today, bus lines 1 and 13 have incorporated the previous itinerary of tram route 1 in their trajectory. Also, the southern half of the Leien is still serviced by tram routes 12 and 24.

New route (2019-)
According to the Brabo II and Noorderlijn plans, a new tram route 1 will be opened on the Bolivarplaats-Havana site trajectory. The creation of the tram route forms a part of the Noorderlijn ('northern line') construction works currently being undertaken in Antwerp. According to these plans, the northern half of the Leien, as well as the Noorderlaan to the North and various other streets, will be rebuilt in the following years, and tram tracks will be added there, creating a new important North-South tram axis.

Colour
Historically, tram route 1 was identified by a black number on a white background.