ProRail has started filling erosion holes around the pillars of the HSL bridge over the Hollandsch Diep between Moerdijk and Dordrecht. The railway manager expects the work to last until mid-April 2026. The high-speed trains between Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris can continue to run unhindered during that period.
The potholes are caused by the natural flow of the river, which moves sand. “The Hollandsch Diep is tidal water. It ebbs and flows with a powerful current, which increases due to rainfall and meltwater,” ProRail explains. “By filling the holes with coarse sand and covering them with stones, we prevent the soil from wearing out further. This keeps the ground stable and prevents damage to the bridge pillars.”
At least one passage will remain available for commercial and recreational navigation during the work. Rijkswaterstaat provides navigation guidance, so that shipping can pass safely.