During a carefully prepared 130-hour train-free period, Swietelsky carried out an extensive package of railway works at the Maasvlakte in connection with the successful sliding of a concrete tunnel structure beneath the track. The operation marked an important milestone in the development of the new Maasvlakte South rail yard.
At the heart of this train-free period was the sliding into place of the concrete utility conduit, consisting of two tunnel tubes. At the same time, Swietelsky, together with the partners involved, carried out all necessary preparatory, supporting and follow-up works on the track, cables and pipelines, overhead line equipment and train protection systems. By intelligently combining these activities within a single possession, disruption to the surrounding area and rail traffic was kept to a minimum.
The works were carried out in close cooperation with clients ProRail and the Port of Rotterdam Authority, as well as various contractors, including Van der Linden Beton, Boskalis, De Koning and CT De Boer.
More than just sliding in the tunnel structure
The concrete utility conduit was assembled in advance from precast concrete elements in an excavated trench next to the existing track. During the train-free period, a series of closely coordinated activities was then carried out within a short timeframe to enable the slide-in operation and immediately rebuild the rail infrastructure in a future-proof manner.
Before excavating the underpass, cables and pipelines were carefully exposed and temporarily suspended. The existing track towards Locomotive Workshop Rotterdam was then removed, including the overhead line equipment and train protection systems. This created the space needed to excavate the underpass and slide the tunnel structure into its final position beneath the track using a hydraulic system.
First track connection to the new rail yard
After the slide-in operation, the track towards LWR was rebuilt. The existing portals were replaced with new tubular foundations, portals and masts. In addition, the train protection systems were temporarily removed and recommissioned before the tracks were brought back into service.
The first track connection to the future rail yard was also completed immediately afterwards. As a result, the tamping machine can now start work on the yard — a tangible next step in the further construction of Maasvlakte South.
Integrated execution within a tight time window
The works on the track, overhead line equipment, cables and pipelines, and train protection systems were closely interconnected and had to be carried out within the same possession. This made the operation technically complex and required detailed preparation and precise coordination between all disciplines involved. Thanks to this integrated approach, the full scope of works was successfully completed within 130 hours, after which the track could be safely handed back into service.
Building ahead for future-proof infrastructure
The utility conduit is located near the connecting track to Locomotive Workshop Rotterdam. By installing this provision now, the track will not need to be opened up again in the future for the installation of cables and pipelines.
The conduit makes it possible to route future cables and pipelines — for example for projects related to the energy transition — beneath the railway line with minimal impact. In this way, the structure contributes to a future-proof and flexible layout of the rail infrastructure at the Maasvlakte.
Minimal disruption by combining works
The operation required extremely careful planning. By bundling all works related to the tunnel slide-in operation into a single train-free period, the impact on companies, users in the area and rail traffic was kept as limited as possible.
Close cooperation also took place with end user Locomotive Workshop Rotterdam. The company has been involved in the planning process for several years, allowing the works to be properly coordinated with its operations.
Part of the Maasvlakte South rail yard
The works form part of the delivery of the first phase of the Maasvlakte South rail yard. The Port of Rotterdam Authority and ProRail are developing a new group of six tracks here, with connections to the existing rail infrastructure. The first track bundle is expected to be commissioned around mid-2027.
The new rail yard is needed to transport the growing flow of freight from the Maasvlakte to the European hinterland by rail in an efficient and sustainable way. With this successful integrated railway junction operation, Swietelsky is making an important contribution to the further development of robust, sustainable and future-oriented rail infrastructure in the Port of Rotterdam.
