NL Rail Freight Infrastructure Ambitions

In 2020, the Dutch rail freight industry set out a ‘market vision’ which rail investments it believes are necessary to have a continuous rail network by 2040. For example, the sector sees a future in updating the Iron Rhine. However, a northern and southern branch of the Betuwe route are higher on the wish list.

See Feb 2021 Spoorpro.nl Article

Download Rail Freight Market Ambition Report

The report lists the preferred options according to their priorities:

Must-haves:

  • Northern branch of Betuwe Route

Highly-favoured:

  • Optimisation of key freight junctions in Kijfhoek and Venlo.
  • Southern branch of Betuwe Route
  • Improvement of Sophia Rail Tunnel (near Kijfhoek)
  • Access to Asia Terminal, Amsterdam
  • Canal zone - Ghent-Terneuzen

Favoured:

  • Third Rhine Crossing (3RX) (Connecting Antwerp via NL and across the border to Germany at Venlo)
  • VeZa Bow (Improving routeing between Vlissingen and Antwerp)
  • Oostboog Veendam (near Delfzijl)