The Maaslijn currently has no overhead lines and only diesel trains can run on this route. After electrification, Arriva will replace the diesel trains with electric trains.
ProRail has awarded the extensive upgrade project to Swietelsky Rail Benelux. The winning company has been given the green light for the upgrade of the Maaslijn, the crucial rail link that connects Nijmegen and Roermond. An important step, not only for the 22.000 daily travelers but also for a more sustainable and efficient railway network in the Netherlands.
The Maaslijn is known as one of the busiest regional railway lines in the country, connecting three provinces – Limburg, North Brabant and Gelderland. The project includes electrification and partial track doubling of this 88 kilometer route. One of the most striking bottlenecks of the current situation is that delays cannot be made up for and passing can only take place at stations. That's going to change now.
The order comes after a series of delays, with complications ranging from material shortages due to the war in Ukraine to other logistical challenges. According to Dimitri Kruik, regional director at ProRail, Swietelsky a “reliable party” with a robust plan that not only looks at costs, but also at minimizing inconvenience during construction.
Outgoing State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen emphasizes the scope and importance of the project: “This is extremely good news. This project has a long history and there is still a lot of work to be done, but when the work is actually completed in 2027, there will be a modern railway line that will benefit travelers for years to come.”
Overall, 2024 will be the year of the design, on which construction will actually start in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The entire route will be equipped with overhead lines and a number of substations.
However, the improvements to the Maaslijn go further than just increasing capacity and reducing delays. For example, extra track is being constructed at four different locations: Cuijk, Boxmeer, Venray and Reuver, allowing oncoming trains to pass each other. This not only makes it possible to offer a more reliable timetable, but also increases the speed of the trains from 100 to 140 kilometers per hour.
Niek Lentink, operational director of Swietelsky Rail Benelux, was optimistic: “Just like with the completed Track Doubling Heerlen-Landgraaf project, we look forward to making this project a success in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, ProRail and the involved provinces."
The upgrade is expected to be completed in 2027. Until then, the many pupils, students and workers who use this line will have to wait and see. However, Jasper Kuntzelaers, Deputy for Mobility of the Province of Limburg, already sees a bright future: "The risk of delays is significantly reduced by these adjustments and traveling with the Maaslijn becomes more reliable and sustainable."
The completion of this project will not only mean faster travel times but also a significant improvement in safety. Spread over three provinces and nine municipalities, more than 20 level crossings are being worked on to increase safety. This is especially important at a time when mobility is constantly changing and the demand for safe, reliable and sustainable transport is increasing.
For years, Swietelsky Rail Benelux has been working hard to become one of the leading rail contractors in the Netherlands. After the Metro aan Zee, Heerlen-Landgraaf and Kassel-Fulda (Germany) projects, the Maaslijn is a wonderful addition to the rich BBV order portfolio.
As an all-round rail contractor, Swietelsky Rail Benelux focuses on track construction and track renewal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. They specialize in successfully organizing, executing and delivering complex rail projects. They use high-tech machines from Austria. These machines sustainably and efficiently renew the entire track, from sleeper to rail. Swietelsky Rail Benelux has accreditations in the field of railway construction, cables & pipes, train protection, overhead lines and energy supply.
