DUTCH infrastructure manager ProRail has signed a six-year framework agreement with three engineering consultancies to design plans for the repair of nine viaducts on the HSL-South high-speed line. The value of the agreement is €25m.
The three firms sharing the work are Arup, Movares and Arcadis, with Arup taking on a co-ordinating role in guaranteeing design integrity, and providing safety management and process management supervision.
ProRail says it expects the designs to be completed by the end of 2026. The framework agreement also make provision for the consultancies to work on any further unexpected faults with HSL-South infrastructure.
Design and construction errors in the concrete structures near Rijpwetering were identified in 2022 and have led to speed restrictions of 120km/h on the 300km/h line. Repair work is likely to be undertaken from south to north, as this will allow line speeds to return to normal as quickly as possible. A 10th viaduct will be dealt with separately.
ProRail believes that once repairs have been carried out no further work will be necessary for at least 80 years. Costing an estimated €500m, all repair work is now expected to be complete by 2031.
Legal action
In August the Ministry of Infrastructure started legal proceedings against the HSL-South construction consortium, Hollandse Meren. However, the government has indicated that it is prepared to consider a negotiated settlement covering repairs, compensation to operators Netherlands Railways (NS) and Eurostar, and indemnity.
“I trust that that the consortium recognises the seriousness of the situation and is willing to cooperate,” says Thierry Aartsen, secretary of state for infrastructure.
