The Dutch freight-dedicated Betuwe Line will close from 9 to 16 November. This is a consequence of German construction work on a third track between Oberhausen and Emmerich, just across the border. The route is vital for hinterland-bound rail freight from the Port of Rotterdam.
The German rail infrastructure manager DB InfraGO will execute a variety of projects on the route during that November week. Work will be carried out on tracks, bridges, overhead lines, safety systems, cables, and noise barriers in Oberhausen, Dinslaken, Voerde, Wesel, Rees, and Emmerich, among others. Various level crossings are also being modified or removed, reports our sister publication SpoorPro.
Emmerich–Oberhausen is part of the German extension of the Betuwe Line. The week-long closure is therefore set to disrupt freight flows originating from Rotterdam. During earlier closures, freight rerouted through the northern Bad Bentheim route or the southern Brabant route.
Those earlier detours were put in place during 80 weeks of work that lasted until 31 May. In that period, Germany worked on the third track to expand capacity on the route. Despite the duration of the disruptions, DB InfraGO did not manage to finish building the third track. The project is rumoured to last until 2034.