ProRail has announced the start of major construction work to create a Netherlands–Germany rail link.
The project involves the construction of a line from the city of Coevorden, in the province of Drenthe in northeastern Netherlands—located 2 km from Germany’s western border—through Lower Saxony. The line will connect the Dutch city of Coevorden with the German city of Bad Bentheim.
Work has begun to enable cross-border rail traffic starting in December 2026. For the first time in 87 years, passenger trains will once again run on this route.
Expansion of the Coevorden Station
The work is being carried out by the contractor Dura Vermeer. A key part of the project is the construction of an additional platform on the Holwert side of the railway line. Trains operated by Bentheimer Eisenbahn, which provides both passenger and freight services, particularly in the border area with the Netherlands, will be able to stop and depart from this platform.
Also as part of the Netherlands–Germany rail link project, an additional German rail safety system will be installed at Coevorden station. In addition, switches, tracks, and signals will be modified to allow trains to arrive and depart more quickly.
This creates more space and a time buffer in the timetable, which will make service on the Vechtdallijnen—a regional rail connection of nearly 50 km linking the cities of Zwolle, Ommen, and Emmen—more reliable.
The station will also receive a new entrance on the west side, leading to the new platform, as well as an elevator to the tunnel in the center of Coevorden.
Planning and Disruptions
Starting in mid-May, the construction site will be set up between the railway tracks and the Van Gend & Loos building, a historic building housing a transport and logistics company. Work on the platform will begin in early June.
In November, work will take place during specific scheduled periods, and for nine consecutive days, rail traffic to and from Coevorden will be completely suspended.
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