The railway line between Ghent and Bruges is being widened from 2 to 4 tracks. This will enable freight traffic to be separated from passenger traffic and train frequency to be increased. All level crossings have been eliminated in previous projects and replaced by new bridges and tunnels. This phase involves the actual track bed works for widening the railway line including all works to ensure track bed drainage. The existing drainage ditches and roads along the route will be moved and renovated. In addition, the Aalter and Maria-Aalter halts will be completely renovated in order to create wheelchair accessibility using ramps for example. The overall project covers around 8 kilometres in total.
TUC RAIL, the client and consultancy firm for Belgian Railways, has chosen to award the entire consultancy task to the contractor. BESIX Infra were given a reference design on being awarded the contract as a basis to be fleshed out in detail by them. There is weekly consultation with TUC RAIL on progress and fulfilment of this task.
The project is being developed in 3D to the maximum extent. Advanced drone surveys among other things are used to map out the existing situation. This cutting-edge technology helps us obtain a more precise implementation design which takes account of all the preconditions stipulated by the various TUC RAIL departments, as well as by Infrabel and NMBS/SCNB, the Belgian national railway operator.
The delivery of soil as well as other materials presents a logistical challenge since access to the route is difficult; the majority of access roads are narrow farm tracks. What is more, there are a great many areas where there are no side roads and all transport needs to take place over the track bed under construction. It is therefore of the utmost importance that all construction phases should be properly coordinated with one another.
This project is the first for BESIX Infra in which we are working in a joint venture with BESIX. In addition to this, every effort is being made to collaborate with other BESIX Group departments and companies. Examples of this are the fact that the design task is being carried out in close collaboration with the BESIX Engineering Department, Van den Berg will be responsible for all cable works and the reinforcing steel for the concrete structures will be formed in the Sint-Pieters-Leeuw workshops. A perfect example of the BESIX Group one-stop-shop concept.
Project name
TUC RAIL Aalter Beernem
Category
Signalling
Location
, Belgium
Building Period
2019 - 2021
