ROUTE plans have been published for planned upgrades to expand capacity at Amsterdam Central station have been published, ahead of the planned launch of preparatory works later this year.

The plans for the work were published in the Netherlands Government Gazette, and outline a range of improvements to both the station and surrounding infrastructure, including:  

  • replacement of steel bridges at the station’s eastern access 
  • construction of a new crossing at Dijksgracht 
  • a reduction in the number of through tracks from 10 to nine, with a simplified system of points and some track renewal 
  • platform widening and lengthening 
  • renewal and widening of the East Tunnel 
  • improvements to facilities and pedestrian traffic flow in the West Tunnel, and 
  • relocation of existing and the addition of new stairs, escalators and lifts. 

Preparatory work on the station upgrades are expected to begin at the end of 2021, with station and track reconstruction to begin from 2024. Work is anticipated to be completed by 2030 and will enable trains in all directions to operate at a frequency of 10 minutes per direction from the station, including on routes to Noord-Holland, Flevoland and Brabant. 

Plans for the refurbishment of the station building were designed by local architectural firm ZJA, with support from architectural restoration specialists Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau, and construction consultant IGG. 

The upgrades include extensive rail alteration.

“It is important that we prepare Amsterdam Central for the future, both rail and station,” van Veldhoven says. “It may be quiet now, but travellers will return after the pandemic. In fact, it is expected that more people will want to use the station than before the crisis.” 

The plans aim to accommodate for growing passenger numbers at the station. The station served around 200,000 passengers per day pre-pandemic but this is expected to increase to 275,000 per day in the next 10 years. 

The work will also enable the realisation of other targets outlined in the government’s Future Vision 2040 rail programme, including faster services to Randstad and the north and south of the country, as well as increasing the attractiveness of international rail travel. 

“Thanks to the new modifications to the station, we ensure that travellers can move around the station more easily,” says ProRail regional director Mr Harro Homan. “We also connect cities such as Alkmaar, Hoorn and Castricum even better with Amsterdam, and Amsterdam even better with the region.”