Speed restrictions have been imposed by ProRail at several points on the route between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The railway is not safe enough everywhere to drive at high speed. For example, cracks have been discovered on viaducts and bridges.
In the autumn of 2022, a construction error was discovered on a viaduct near the South Holland village of Rijpwetering, which caused cracks. The usual high-speed train travels at 300 kilometers per hour were therefore no longer safe. Only 80 kilometers per hour are allowed on that stretch.
Because nine more structures on the high-speed route have been constructed in the same way, ProRail had research carried out into the quality of the bridges and viaducts. Pending the results, a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour was allowed.
Five out of nine not strong enough
But it now appears that that speed is not safe either. Five of the nine structures are not strong enough. ProRail has therefore reduced the maximum speed at those locations to 120 kilometers per hour. “Due to these measures, the trains are much delayed and it is therefore no longer possible to continue running the full timetable,” ProRail said.
Several trains on the route are canceled due to the speed limits. The international trains will continue to run, but the journey will take longer. Research is still being conducted to see whether measures can be taken to increase the speed again. It is not clear how long the restrictions will last.