Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail and Strukton Rail have signed a contract for the improvement of the rails in the province of Groningen. The contract includes the construction of the tracks of a new stabling point in Haren and the construction of an extra track between the city of Groningen and Groningen Europapark station. Strukton will start operations in early 2019.

Project ‘Spoorzone Groningen’ focuses on the improvement of the tracks and the construction of a more attractive station, according to ProRail. An extra platform will be built at Groningen Europapark station. There will also be an extra track placed between Groningen and Groningen Europapark stations, and new tracks will be constructed at the new stabling point in Haren.

Rail contract

The rail contract is one of the three main contracts within the project. In addition to the rail contract, there is a station contract. The tender for the station contract, which includes a pedestrian passage, bus station, bicycle tunnel and bicycle parking facility, is currently in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. In 2023 the total project will be completed.

This project is part of a bigger plan to improve railway connections within and to the northern provinces of the Netherlands. It comprises about twenty projects in total.