ProRail has awarded the extensive project to upgrade the Maaslijn between Nijmegen and Roermond to Swietelsky Rail Benelux. We are extremely happy and proud of this. We look forward to getting started in the coming years and working on the future of sustainable mobility.
For years, Swietelsky Rail Benelux has been working hard to become one of the leading railway contractors in the Netherlands. After the Metro aan Zee, Heerlen-Landgraaf, and Kassel-Fulda (Germany) projects, the Maaslijn is a wonderful addition to the richly filled BBV order portfolio.
“This project, like the Heerlen-Landgraaf double track project, is in partnership with the provinces and ProRail. We look forward to making the improvement of the Maaslijn a success,” said Niek Lentink.
Improving and making passenger transport more sustainable
The provinces of Limburg, North Brabant, and Gelderland, together with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, have decided to electrify the 88-kilometer-long Maaslijn together with ProRail. Swietelsky Rail Benelux will carry out the work on behalf of ProRail. This way, we ensure that Arriva can operate a reliable timetable, with a travel time saving of ten minutes. The measures aim to improve and make passenger transport on the Maaslijn more sustainable.
Scope
Overall, 2024 will be the year of design, during which we will actually start building in 2025, 2026, and 2027. The entire route will be equipped with overhead lines and a number of substations. In addition, an extra track will be laid at four locations along the existing railway. The curves in the track will also be widened at various places, allowing trains to maintain their speed without having to slow down. Furthermore, we will improve the safety of over twenty level crossings.
Construction of double track
An extra track will be laid at four locations along the Maaslijn. These are Cuijk, Boxmeer, Venray, and Reuver. At these locations, the number of tracks will be expanded from one to two, allowing oncoming trains to pass each other. This is also referred to as a passing track.
Extending and raising platforms
Currently, the Maaslijn has no overhead lines, and only diesel trains can operate on this route. After electrification, Arriva will replace the diesel trains with electric trains. Since these train sets are slightly longer than the current ones, we will extend one or more platforms at several stations. Swietelsky Rail Benelux will also raise the platforms where necessary to create a level boarding. This will make the trains more accessible for people with disabilities.
