The Dutch infrastructure director announces a framework for HSL-Sout.
Dutch infrastructure director has signed a six-year framework agreement with three engineering consultations to design plans to repair nine works on the high-speed HSL-Sout. The value of the agreement is 25 million euros.
The three companies that participate in the work are ARUP, Movares and Arcadis, with ARUP playing a coordination role in ensuring design safety, providing safety management and supervising operations management.
Prorail says she expects designs to be completed by the end of 2026. The framework agreement also provides consultations to work on any other unexpected errors with HSL-South infrastructure.
Design and construction errors in concrete structures were identified near RijpWetering in 2022 and led to quick restrictions of 120 km/h at a line of 300 km/h. Reform actions are likely to be carried out from south to north, because this will allow the speed of the line to return to normal as soon as possible. 10Y The bridge will be dealt with separately.
Prorail believes that once repairs are made, there will be no other necessary work for at least 80 years. At a cost of an estimated 500 million euros, it is now expected that all reform work will be completed by 2031.
The legal procedure
In August, the Ministry of Infrastructure began legal procedures against the HSL-South Constus, Hollandse Meren. However, the government indicated that it is ready to consider a negotiation settlement covering repairs, compensation for railway operators (NS), Eurostar, and compensation.
“I am confident that the consortium admits the seriousness of the situation and is ready for cooperation,” says Thierry Arsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the infrastructure.
