Germany kicks off Emmerich – Oberhausen works

Renovation works on the Emmerich – Oberhausen railway started on Saturday 2 November. It is an important route for freight trains, and will lead to diversions to and from the Port of Rotterdam and surrounding areas. The disruptions, however, are not as bad as they could have been.

The route is a vital artery for freight traffic, and will be getting a third track. Construction works will last for 80 weeks. Initially, the German plan was to close the route altogether for the entire duration of the upgrade. That idea could not count on the sympathy of Dutch authorities, which fiercely protested what they saw as an imminent disaster. After talking things through with their German counterparts, it was decided that a single track will remain open for 60 weeks, and a total closure will only take place for 20 weeks.

Capacity on the route will therefore inevitably decline, and traffic to and from the Rotterdam port (and surrounding areas) will have to be diverted. Trains will now primarily go to the so-called Brabant route, which is located south of the Betuwe route. The latter links up to the Emmerich – Oberhausen line.

New and better tracks

The upgrade between Emmerich and Oberhausen includes the construction of 46 kilometres of new – additional – tracks, 22 kilometres of replacement of old tracks and the construction of a third track, and over 3 kilometres the construction of a third and fourth track. Furthermore, 47 bridge structures will be constructed, 55 level crossings are being replaced by 38 bridges, and a number of passing tracks of 750 metres are being constructed for freight trains along the route.