This follows an agreement between the Dutch province of Limburg, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure Works and German local transport authorities to improve cross-border rail transport between Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The project includes the entire renewal of the superstructure on the Dutch section between Landgraaf and the German border. When this has been completed along with signalling modifications, the line speed will increase from 80km/h to 110km/h.

Meanwhile technical design to electrify the line is underway in preparation for an invitation to tender. Electrification is estimated to cost €15m and will be carried out in 2017. It is hoped to complete electrification on the German section in mid-2018. A fleet of Stadler Flirt 3 multi-voltage EMUs will be ordered and the service will be operated by Arriva.