2016-EU-TA-0108-W

The Action is part of a Global Project (EurekaRail) which aims to improve several cross-border rail connections in the urbanised region between Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

The Action’s objective is the execution of a set of infrastructural measures on the Comprehensive Network Heerlen-Landgraaf-Dutch/German border-Herzogenrath-Aachen section in order to create an improved, reliable and direct cross-border rail connection between Heerlen (NL) and Aachen (DE). In Aachen this section connects to the North Sea-Baltic and Rhine-Alpine Core Network Corridors.

Planned activities are electrification of the rail track between Landgraaf and the Dutch/German border (approximately 6 km), construction of a double track between Heerlen and Landgraaf (approximately 3 km), installation of catenary (approximately 1.3 km) and two railroad switches between the Dutch/German border and Herzogenrath station, construction of a new platform including track layout changes and signals in Herzogenrath station, modification of the signalling between Übach-Palenberg and Aachen Hbf, replacement of signals on track 3 of Aachen Hbf.

The overall result of this Action will be a significant travel time gain and an important reduction of transfers, making rail transport in this area more competitive.