DUTCH infrastructure manager ProRail has started work on the project to increase capacity between ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Vught, as planning and other preliminary work for the Leiden - Utrecht upgrade has been brought to halt due to rising costs.

A ceremony to mark the official start of work was held on at Vught on November 27. It was attended by the outgoing secretary of state at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ms Vivianne Heijnen, Vught town councillor, Mr Mark du Maine, North Brabant minister for urban development and mobility, Mr Stijn Smeulders, and ProRail chief operating officer, Ms Marieke Schöningh.

The project involves widening the line from three to four tracks between ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the junction at Vught, where lines to Tilburg and Eindhoven diverge. The junction will be grade-separated, and on the Eindhoven line the railway will be lowered into a cutting and a new station built to serve Vught.

Work is scheduled for completion in 2030 as part of the national High Frequency Rail (PHS) programme to provide more frequent passenger services. Combined with other nearby projects, it will increase capacity on the line between Meeteren and Boxtel.

Meanwhile, ProRail has suspended preparatory work including property acquisition for the Leiden - Utrecht upgrade as rising costs have exceeded the project budget. ProRail is now working with the Ministry of Infrastructure, the province of South Holland and municipalities along the line to seek additional funding.

Other options including descoping the project or cancelling it altogether. A final decision is expected next spring, meaning it is no longer possible to complete the project in 2026 as originally scheduled.

The Leiden - Utrecht upgrade would increase capacity to provide four passenger trains an hour throughout the day. It includes the construction of a new station at Hazerswoude-Rijndijk and replacing level crossings with bridges, as the increased train frequency would exceed level crossing safety standards.

On the western approach to Alphen aan den Rijn station, curves would be eased to enable trains to enter the station at higher speeds. East of Alphen aan den Rijn, the single-track line would be doubled halfway to Bodegraven.

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