Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands will give the starting signal for the first train on the Betuwe Route on Saturday 16 June 2006. The Betuwe Route is meant for freight transport and runs from the port of Rotterdam to the German boarder in Zevenaar/Emmerich. This is the Dutch part of the Trans European Rail Freight Network (TERFN), which connects the ports of Rotterdam and Genua.

Contribution of Strukton Railinfra
Strukton Railinfra has built a large part of the Betuwe Route, including the double track on the 144 kilometres long section between Gorinchem and the tunnel under the Pannerdersch canal.

Strukton Railinfra, together with the German company Fahrleitungsbau GmbH, have constructed the catenary system along a 104 kilometres long section between the Sophia track tunnel and the tunnel in Zevenaar. This section used the so-called B4 system, that is agreed as standard in the EU. The B4 system enables longer and heavier trains to drive more frequently.
By using the advanced catenary drawing machine Gemma in combination with a number of wagons that function as a working platform, Strukton Railinfra realised a high production rate and high operational reliability.

Special sprinkler systems have been installed in the five tunnels to prevent the trains and tunnels to become overheated in case of fire.

ERTMS
ERTMS, the new signalling and management system for Europe, has been installed on the Betuwe Route. In case a machinist misses a sign or if anything else does not work well, ERTMS will take over the control of the train.

Strukton Railinfra's contribution to Betuwe Route