There is always a lot of work to be done on and around the track, and no fewer than thirty-four major projects are planned for this year. More and more people are using the train and more and more goods are being transported by rail, which means that more and better rail is needed in the Netherlands. Work on the railways is necessary, but has the additional disadvantage that they often cause a longer travel time, travelers also often have to change trains or they have to travel by bus instead of the train. ProRail works together with recognized rail contractors and continuously maintains and renews tracks, switches and stations. Technical innovations make their work more efficient, safer and faster.
“As the Netherlands and Europe, we want to run more trains, because this causes less CO2 emissions than car traffic and prevents traffic jams. But to allow more trains to run, we have to adapt or expand tracks. Moreover, the track wears faster the more we drive over it. That means more frequent maintenance.”
Train passengers must this year according to PRORAIL so check their travel plans well in advance to avoid surprises during their trip. Passengers will mainly experience nuisance on the track between 5 March and 9 May in Limburg. Between Landgraaf and Heerlen, the track is closed for 64 consecutive days due to the doubling of the track. The work will be split between Culemborg and Geldermalsen, and this section will be closed for 28 days between April 4 and May 6. After that, this route will be closed again for 23 days, namely from 14 July to 6 August. This is about maintenance of the foundation. A lot of rail work will also take place between Eindhoven and Venlo this year, on this route work will be carried out on the track and on a tunnel.
"During that maintenance, trains are often not able to run. I think everyone understands that it is important that the people who work on the track through all kinds of weather and often at night must be able to do so safely. are that there is voltage on the catenary or that trains are racing past at 130 kilometers per hour.”
