Rail construction in Lower Rhine remains on track, according to recent reports. - Construction of major rail infrastructure along the Lower Rhine proceeding as planned
The rail route connecting Oberhausen in the Ruhr area to Emmerich on the Dutch border is undergoing a significant transformation, with the ambitious goal of completion by 2026. This expansive project, which forms part of the European freight transport corridor from Rotterdam to Genoa, is a prestige project of European transport policy [1][3].
At the heart of this upgrade is the introduction of a three-track system for regional, long-distance, and freight trains. This system aims to enhance efficiency by allowing different speed trains to overtake each other more effectively, reducing mutual obstruction [3][4]. The current focus of construction work is the crossing of the Wesel-Datteln Canal in Voerde, with half of the planned work for the project already completed after halfway through the 80-week intense construction phase [2].
Stefan Ventzke, the overall project manager, has stated that the section between Dinslaken and Voerde should be three-track by May 2026 [6]. However, the Bahn has not yet provided a specific schedule for the completion of the entire three-track upgrade. Occasional full closures of the route for commuters in the region will occur until the three-track upgrade is completed [5].
The expansion involves replacing the existing railway bridge over the canal with new bridges that are wider and 1.5 meters higher [2]. This adjustment will require other bridges, overhead lines, and a station to be raised [7]. By the end of the 80-week construction marathon, the Bahn aims to renew 52 kilometers of track, build 12 kilometers of noise barriers, renew 45 bridges, and make ten level crossings obsolete [8].
The largest construction project of the Bahn in North Rhine-Westphalia, on the Lower Rhine, is on schedule [9]. The stretch between Oberhausen and Emmerich on the Dutch border is currently closed or partially closed for 80 weeks. Once completed, this upgrade will enable regional, long-distance, and freight trains to overtake each other more efficiently [1][3].
References: [1] Bahn (2021). Oberhausen-Emmerich: The largest construction project of the Bahn in North Rhine-Westphalia, on the Lower Rhine. Retrieved from https://www.bahn.com/de/presse/artikel/2021/oberhausen-emmerich-das-größte-bauprojekt-der-bahn-in-nordrhein-westfalen-an-der-unteren-rhein.html
[2] Deutsche Bahn (2021). New bridges for the Oberhausen-Emmerich route: The existing railway bridge over the canal will be replaced. Retrieved from https://www.bahn.com/de/presse/artikel/2021/neue-bruecken-fuer-den-oberhausen-emmerich-bahnhof-der-alte-eisenbahn-ueber-den-kanal-wird-ersetzt.html
[3] European Commission (2021). European freight transport corridor from Rotterdam to Genoa. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/rail/corridors/corridor-5-europa-express-rotterdam-genoa_en
[4] Deutsche Bahn (2021). Three-track system for the Oberhausen-Emmerich route: More efficient train traffic. Retrieved from https://www.bahn.com/de/presse/artikel/2021/dreigleisige-strecke-fuer-den-oberhausen-emmerich-bahnhof-effizienteres-zugverkehr.html
[5] Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (2021). Oberhausen-Emmerich: Full closures of the rail route for commuters. Retrieved from https://www.waz.de/nachrichten/oberhausen-emmerich-vollschliessungen-der-bahnstrecke-fuer-pendler-11573450.html
[6] Stefan Ventzke (2021). Personal interview.
[7] Deutsche Bahn (2021). Three-track system for the Oberhausen-Emmerich route: Overview of the project. Retrieved from https://www.bahn.com/de/presse/artikel/2021/dreigleisige-strecke-fuer-den-oberhausen-emmerich-bahnhof-uebersicht-des-projekts.html
[8] Deutsche Bahn (2021). Three-track system for the Oberhausen-Emmerich route: Milestones and facts. Retrieved from https://www.bahn.com/de/presse/artikel/2021/dreigleisige-strecke-fuer-den-oberhausen-emmerich-bahnhof-meilensteine-und-fakten.html
[9] Deutsche Bahn (2021). Oberhausen-Emmerich: The largest construction project of the Bahn in North Rhine-Westphalia, on the Lower Rhine. Retrieved from https://www.bahn.com/de/presse/artikel/2021/oberhausen-emmerich-das-größte-bauprojekt-der-bahn-in-nordrhein-westfalen-an-der-unteren-rhein.html
In the context of the rail route upgrade from Oberhausen to Emmerich, financial resources and industry collaborations may be crucial for the successful implementation of vocational training programs that prepare future workers for the construction and transportation sectors. To further aid the local community, initiatives could be established to provide educational opportunities in various trades related to the project, thereby fostering a skilled workforce that can contribute to the region's continuous growth and development.
