From Saturday November 1 to Monday November 10 there will be no trains between Cuijk and Nijmegen. This has consequences for travelers in Land van Cuijk. The nine-day work is an important part of the upgrade of the more than eighty kilometer long Maas line. “We are working day and night during this period,” says Lotte Kaatee, spokesperson at ProRail.
Every day, 22,000 people travel across the Maaslijn. This makes it one of the busiest regional lines in the country. However, the 88 kilometer long route is outdated. Outdated diesel trains from Arriva run on a largely single track, which cannot handle the large number of passengers.
Work on the track between Nijmegen and Roermond has now started in various phases. This train-free period is necessary for the project in the northernmost part to succeed. “We mainly work in Nijmegen and Mook-Middelaar,” says Kaatee.
Nuisance
Arriva, the carrier in the area, has arranged replacement bus transport for travelers who normally take the train. Travelers can use stop buses. In Cuijk, these buses leave from the bus stop at the station on Bontsestraat.
In addition, local residents may also experience nuisance. “Contractor Swietelsky works day and night during this period. They try to limit inconvenience as much as possible, for example by only using machines when really necessary. In addition, diversion routes are indicated if necessary,” says the ProRail spokesperson.
Electric trains
The trains that travel on the Maaslijn still run on diesel. This work is intended, among other things, to allow electric trains to run on this track. “We are installing overhead wire gantries for this purpose. These metal constructions will soon carry the power wires for the train.”