In the past nine weeks, Swietelsky, commissioned by ProRail and the province of Limburg, doubled the railway between Heerlen and Landgraaf. We renewed the old track and laid a second track. This required widening several viaducts and placing two new viaducts. The yards of both stations have also been adapted to the new situation. Since early this morning (Monday, May 9, 5:00 AM), trains are running again on this route!
Proud of the team
Project manager Remco Jacobs: “We are proud of the amount of work that has been done and of the people who have dedicated themselves throughout this period to carry out the work. At the same time, we realize that we have caused inconvenience to local residents for over two months. Despite various measures to minimize disruption, there were periods of noise, vibrations, dust, mud, and various detours and road closures. We thank everyone for their understanding during the work and the inconvenience that came with it.”
Many tasks completed
In the first weekend, early March, the largest work train in Europe – the RUS1000S - visited the project. That same month, two new viaducts were placed, and the second track was then laid. In the last weeks of the shutdown, we focused on the station yards in Heerlen and Landgraaf. There, we connected the new track to the existing tracks and renewed the existing track. Additionally, we put the finishing touches on the overhead lines, signals, and inspection paths along the (new) track and installed retaining walls at various locations. “After an extensive testing period, the track was ‘put into service’ as planned early this morning, Monday, May 9, around 5:00 AM, and since then, trains have been running again,” Jacobs explains.
Collaboration key to success
According to project manager Remco Jacobs, good collaboration is the key to the success of this longest shutdown of 2022. “There are an incredible number of parties involved in this project. Think of the clients ProRail and the province of Limburg and all the consulting and engineering firms. But also the internal partners of Swietelsky, the subcontractors, the municipalities involved, and (the delegation) of local residents.” Jacobs continues: “Everyone has had the same goal in mind since the beginning of the project. The openness and togetherness in which we carry out this project ensures that everything runs smoothly and pleasantly, even when things get tough. The space and trust we receive from our clients and the commitment of all team members, both internally and externally, ensured that the track went into service today as planned.”
Upcoming period: smaller tasks
Now that the trains are running again, the most significant work for the track doubling is largely completed. In the coming period, we will carry out various smaller tasks on the track and at the Heerlen and Landgraaf stations. Outside the track area, we will start working on the redesign of the (work) sites. Until early July, we will still be finishing around the new viaducts at the Kissel in Heerlen and the Spoorstraat in Landgraaf. After the summer, the replanting of greenery will take place, and the municipality of Heerlen will construct a new connecting road at the site where the largest work area is currently located. The plans for the redesign were made together with a delegation of local residents.
Photos; Gerrit Serné and Peter Jan Fernhout
