The Dutch railway infrastructure programme has taken an important step forward with the awarding of contracts for the installation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on two rail sections in Friesland. Strukton has been appointed to deliver works on the Leeuwarden – Harlingen Haven route, while BAM Infra Nederland will carry out installation on the Leeuwarden – Stavoren section.
The procurement has been divided across two routes to allow multiple contractors to gain experience with ERTMS deployment. These segments form part of the wider ERTMS Northern Lines project, which comprises six track sections as well as the stations of Groningen and Leeuwarden, located in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland.
Infrastructure works are scheduled to begin in 2026. The contractors will install the systems required for ERTMS, including new cables, axle counters, and balises embedded in the track. Preparatory work is expected to start later this year. Initially, ERTMS will be installed alongside the existing Automatic Train Protection (ATB) system. Once ERTMS is fully commissioned, the legacy system will be decommissioned.
Testing grounds for the future
The Leeuwarden – Harlingen Haven section will serve as a testing ground for the latest version of ERTMS. This route will be the first to integrate refurbished tracks and trains, updated systems, and trained personnel under the new signalling regime. Upon successful testing, ERTMS will also be commissioned on the Leeuwarden – Stavoren line, followed by the remaining northern rail sections.
Ben van Schijndel, Project Manager at Strukton, welcomed the opportunity: “As Strukton, we are convinced of the unique position of this project as an early deployment line for ERTMS and the importance of ProRail in it. We are very happy to carry this out together with ProRail and learn from our new experiences. In our risk management plan, we called it ‘expect the unexpected’, and we are ‘ready for the future’.”
BAM Infra Nederland Director Michel van den Munckhof added: “We are very pleased with the award for the Leeuwarden – Stavoren section. This gives us a strong position to continue with the current course regarding the implementation of ERTMS on the Dutch rail network. Industrialisation and digitalisation are important pillars in which we, as BAM, are investing heavily.”
Collaborative roll-out
The ERTMS Northern Lines project is being delivered in partnership with ProRail, regional operator Arriva, the provinces of Fryslân and Groningen, and the national ERTMS Programme Directorate. It forms part of the Netherlands’ broader strategy to transition to ERTMS across its network, improving safety, capacity, and interoperability in line with European standards.
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