WORK to electrify and upgrade the Maaslijn in the southeast of the Netherlands began on May 31. The project, which aims to modernise the 107km Nijmegen - Venlo - Roermond line, commenced with the 78km northern section between Nijmegen and Venlo.
The line, named after the nearby River Maas, is predominantly single-track and is currently operated by Arriva Nederland under a concession awarded by the Limburg provincial government.
Over the weekend of May 31 - June 1, contractor Swietelsky carried out initial works near Mook-Molenhoek, including excavating catenary foundations and preparing sites for future track doubling around Cuijk, Boxmeer, and Venray. Further line closures are planned in the coming months.
As well as track doubling, the upgrade includes electrification of the entire route, raising the line speed from 100km/h to 140km/h, platform extensions, elimination of level crossings, and easing curves to enable higher speeds. The works are scheduled for completion in 2027, with electric services expected to begin with the 2028 timetable change.
Among the complex issues the project will address is at Venlo station, an important border and freight hub. Here Dutch passenger trains taking power at 1.5kV dc will be able to cross freight tracks electrified at 15kV ac with pantographs lowered, ensuring an uninterrupted ac power supply for freight trains heading uphill towards the German border.
Initially due for completion in 2020, the project has been delayed by over seven years due to financial, political, and inflation-related challenges. Estimated costs have more than doubled from €155m to €391m. Funding is provided by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and regional authorities in Limburg, Noord-Brabant and Gelderland.
Upon completion, Arriva will replace its Stadler GTW DMUs with 11 Flirt3 EMUs built by the same manufacturer, which are currently in storage in Poland awaiting delivery.
