Three-track upgrade Emmerich – Oberhausen

Upgraded line 46/2 between Emmerich and Oberhausen (colloquially known as the “Betuwe Line”) is a section of the important European freight corridor from Rotterdam to Genoa, connecting the Dutch North Sea ports with the western Ruhr region. Due to the steadily growing traffic levels on the north-south axis, the line has reached its capacity limit. A complete upgrade of the existing line to at least three tracks and modernization of the connecting infrastructures is planned to increase line capacity on the line section Oberhausen – Emmerich – D/NL national border.

A total of twelve planning approval sections were formed, corresponding to five construction phases. Several measures are planned in connection with this in different implementation phases. Prior to construction of the third track, the control-command and signaling systems have already been modernized by the construction of a new electronic interlocking (EI) system. Additional work planned includes measures at the Oberhausen rail junction, renewal of the electrification system changeover at the border with the Netherlands and equipping the line with an ETCS. Increasing the number of signal blocks allows more trains to run on the line in shorter intervals. Bridges must be upgraded or newly constructed. These will replace the existing level crossings, which will be removed. 12 of the 15 stations and stops along the line will be upgraded.

In the Deutsche Bahn AG network, the line plays a key role for international passenger and freight transport, in particular as part of the Rotterdam-Genoa freight corridor, which runs for around 1,300 km from the major North Sea ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam to the Mediterranean ports in northern Italy.