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Arup to coordinate design restoration of HSL-Zuid viaducts

The restoration of nine viaducts on the HSL-Zuid high-speed railway line aims to remove speed restrictions and enable safe, high-speed travel for the next 80 years.

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Last updated: 16th September 2025

Arup, Movares and Arcadis have signed a multi-year (6 year) framework agreement with ProRail to restore nine viaducts on the HSL-Zuid high-speed railway line in the Netherlands.

On 16 September 2025, the official signing marked the start of a strategic collaboration to address structural challenges along one of the Netherlands’ most critical transport corridors. The HSL-Zuid has experienced damage and subsidence at several locations, prompting temporary speed restrictions. The restoration works will enable trains to safely reach speeds of up to 300 km/h once again, with no corrective maintenance required for the next 80 years.

ProRail selected the three engineering firms based on their recognised expertise in rail-bearing civil structures and their ability to deliver under a demanding schedule. The project aligns with national ambitions to strengthen high-speed connectivity and reduce long-term maintenance needs.

Arup, Arcadis and Movares scored highest in terms of knowledge, capacity and flexibility. Moreover, these firms bring international expertise and experience.

Barend Klinge

Tender Manager, ProRail

Arup will take on a coordinating role in addition to its design responsibilities – a unique approach within ProRail’s contracting strategy. This ensures integrated coherence in the design and safety management, and safeguards the overall process.

The project reflects our commitment to cross-border collaboration. Teams in Birmingham and Bristol contributed to the winning bid and technical strategy, demonstrating how global expertise can be mobilised to deliver local impact.

Arup, Movares and Arcadis will progress conceptual, preliminary and final designs to technically optimised solutions ready for implementation, with further involvement in construction supervision during the realisation phase. ProRail will prioritise the southernmost viaducts first to realise travel time gains as quickly as possible.

This project exemplifies how public and private partners can work together to deliver robust, future-ready infrastructure, combining local insight with international engineering excellence.

The framework agreement spans approximately six years and covers nine viaducts between Hoofddorp and Leiderdorp. The contract also allows for addressing additional substructure issues along the HSL-Zuid.

This agreement reflects our shared commitment to restoring the HSL-Zuid to full operational capacity and ensuring its long-term performance. We are pleased to contribute our expertise and coordinate this important project for ProRail and the Netherlands.

Daan Boddeke

Project Director, Arup