ProRail Signs New Viaduct Repair Design Deal for HSL-South, Twenty-Five Million Euros Framework Agreement to Restore High-Speed Rail Capacity in Rotterdam, Netherlands

In a significant move to address structural issues on the HSL-South high-speed rail line, ProRail, the Dutch national railway infrastructure manager, has signed a €25 million framework agreement with leading engineering consultancies Arup, Movares, and Arcadis. The agreement marks the beginning of a major repair project aimed at restoring the line to its original 300 km/h speed capacity, addressing ongoing viaduct failures, and ensuring long-term operational efficiency. These repairs are critical, as the HSL-South line has faced significant disruptions since 2022, when design flaws in several viaducts, particularly near Rijpwetering, were discovered.

Background: Structural Failures and Speed Restrictions

The HSL-South line, which connects the Netherlands with France, has been a vital component of the high-speed rail network. However, a series of design and construction errors in the viaducts have led to cracks, shifting structures, and compromised stability, which have caused significant delays in operations and disrupted the planned speed of the line. Since 2022, speed restrictions of 120 km/h have been enforced, a significant reduction from the intended 300 km/h maximum speed. This reduction has had an adverse effect on travel times, particularly for international trains heading from Amsterdam to Paris.

In August 2025, the Ministry of Infrastructure initiated legal proceedings against the HSL-South construction consortium, Hollandse Meren, responsible for the original designs. The government has demanded compensation for the delays, repair costs, and loss of operational capacity due to the faulty infrastructure. ProRail, alongside the Dutch government, has committed to rectifying the issues and restoring the line to full operational capacity by 2031.

The Repair Plan: €25 Million Framework Agreement

To address the structural issues, ProRail has signed a six-year framework agreement with Arup, Movares, and Arcadis, three of the Netherlands’ leading engineering consultancies. This agreement will see Arup take a leading role in coordinating the design process, ensuring that safety, design integrity, and process management are closely monitored. Movares and Arcadis will contribute to the overall design and engineering of the repairs, drawing from their extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure projects.

The repair work is expected to be completed by 2031, with the aim of restoring the HSL-South line to its intended 300 km/h operational speed. ProRail has indicated that once the repairs are completed, no further work should be necessary for at least 80 years, giving the high-speed rail network a long-term solution for safe, efficient operation. The repairs will be carried out in stages, starting from the southern section of the line, where the majority of the damaged viaducts are located. The work will be completed from south to north, minimizing disruptions and restoring the line’s speed capacity as quickly as possible.

Viaducts in Question: A Complex Repair Challenge

The viaducts, particularly near Rijpwetering, are the focal point of the repairs. These structures have exhibited cracking and shifting, leading to concerns about their ability to withstand the stresses of high-speed trains. ProRail plans to repair these viaducts with a combination of reinforced concrete, advanced engineering techniques, and state-of-the-art monitoring systems to ensure the long-term durability and stability of the structures. One of the viaducts will be repaired separately, as it requires specialized treatment due to its unique design and position on the route.

ProRail’s repair strategy is designed to address the immediate structural concerns while also upgrading the HSL-South line to meet future demands. The overall aim is not only to restore the line’s speed and efficiency but also to enhance the resilience of the infrastructure to withstand future challenges such as extreme weather events and seismic activity, which have become more prominent in recent years.

Legal Proceedings and Future Implications

While ProRail and the Dutch government focus on repairs, the legal proceedings against Hollandse Meren, the consortium responsible for the faulty design, will likely shape the future of high-speed rail construction and maintenance in the Netherlands. The government has indicated a willingness to negotiate a settlement with the consortium that would cover the cost of repairs, compensation for the delays, and indemnity for the operators of the HSL-South line, including Netherlands Railways (NS) and Eurostar.

The outcome of these legal proceedings will have far-reaching implications for future infrastructure projects, especially in the high-speed rail sector. If a settlement is reached, it may set a precedent for the handling of similar situations in the future, where infrastructure managers are forced to contend with design flaws and operational setbacks.

ProRail’s Commitment to a Sustainable Future

This extensive repair project underscores ProRail’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and sustainable high-speed rail network. While the challenges posed by the initial design errors have been significant, the investment in repairing the viaducts and upgrading the infrastructure will ensure that the HSL-South line remains one of Europe’s premier high-speed rail routes for years to come. ProRail’s strategic approach to the repair process reflects its dedication to both addressing immediate operational issues and ensuring long-term sustainability for high-speed rail travel in the Netherlands.

The €25 million framework agreement marks a significant milestone in restoring the HSL-South line to its original capacity. The repair work, projected to be completed by 2031, will benefit not only the passengers who rely on this vital rail link but also the broader European high-speed rail network, fostering a more interconnected and sustainable transportation future.

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