BAM to transform Rijen Rail Zone with safe underpass and future-ready station

Bunnik - BAM has been awarded the contract to transform the Rijen Rail Zone into a safe, attractive and future-ready gateway to the town. Commissioned by ProRail and the Municipality of Gilze en Rijen, BAM will deliver a new rail underpass, upgraded platforms and a completely redesigned station environment. The project has a contract value of €33 million.

Through an integrated approach that combines design, rail systems, civil engineering and environmental management, BAM will deliver this complex project efficiently while minimising disruption to the surrounding community. Construction will be carried out in phases over the coming years.

The existing level crossings will be replaced by a grade-separated connection linking the northern and southern parts of Rijen. At the same time, BAM will modernise the station with two side platforms, lifts and stairways, significantly improving accessibility for passengers. The station surroundings will be transformed into an attractive, green public space, including a new bicycle parking facility. Together, these improvements will create a cohesive and future-proof station area.

Integrated Delivery as a Key Differentiator

ProRail selected BAM specifically for its capability to deliver the project through a fully integrated approach.

Jeroen Bonekamp, Director at BAM Infra Nederland, said: “We bring together design, rail works, civil construction and public realm improvements within a single integrated delivery model. This combination enables us to respond more quickly, manage risks more effectively and minimise impacts on the surrounding area.”

The project will be delivered under an integrated design-and-build contract.

Careful Construction in a Complex Environment

Works will take place in and around a station that will remain operational throughout construction and is located in the heart of the community. Accessibility, safety and stakeholder communication will therefore be central to project delivery. BAM will organise the works to minimise disruption for passengers, local residents and road users through careful phasing and targeted construction logistics.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the project, with a strong focus on responsible material use, emissions reduction and the deployment of electric construction equipment where possible.

Dimitri Kruik, ProRail Regional Director South, commented: “We are seeing increasing traffic on and around the railway network. With this investment, we are enhancing safety, reliability and long-term resilience in Rijen’s rail environment. At the same time, we are enabling the growth of sustainable mobility in a way that is carefully integrated into the surrounding area.”

Programme

Preparatory activities will commence immediately, followed by phased construction over the coming years. The first rail works are scheduled for August 2027, with site establishment beginning in January 2028. The main construction phase, including a 16-day railway possession, is planned for August 2028.

The underpass is expected to open by the end of 2029, with completion of the full project anticipated in the first quarter of 2030.

Renewing the Netherlands’ Rail Infrastructure

Over the coming decades, ProRail faces a significant programme of rail and station renewal across the Netherlands. Much of the existing infrastructure is approaching the end of its operational life and requires comprehensive replacement and renovation.

Projects such as the Rijen Rail Zone demonstrate how safety, accessibility and spatial quality can be improved simultaneously, while preparing stations and railway infrastructure to meet future mobility demands.