Dutch infrastructure operator ProRail has awarded Swietelsky Rail Benelux a contract to upgrade the 88 km Maaslijn line from Nijmegen via Venlo to Roermond along the River Meuse. The work, which is expected to start soon and be completed by 2027, includes the electrification and partial double-tracking on four sections of the line near Cuijk, Boxmeer, Venray, and Reuver. The maximum speed will be increased from 100 km/h to 140 km/h, some curves will be mitigated, and level crossings will be removed or upgraded with new safety technology. The modernisation of the Maaslijn was originally supposed to have been completed by 2020, but was delayed by a sharp increase in costs due to inflation. The project is being financed by the Dutch government and the provinces of Gelderland, North Brabant, and Limburg, with the total cost of the project now estimated at €346 million. Passenger services on the Maaslijn are operated by Arriva Nederland, whose fleet of Stadler GTW 2/8 diesel multiple units (DMU) will be replaced by Flirt 3 electric multiple units (EMU) from the same manufacturer once electrification is completed.
