Recently, ProRail, a Dutch infrastructure management company, signed a six-year framework agreement with three engineering consulting firms - Arup, Mowares, and Akadi - to design solutions for repairing nine elevated bridges on the HSL South high-speed line. Among them, Arup will play a key coordinating role to ensure design integrity, while supervising safety management and process management.

ProRail expects these design works to be completed by the end of 2026. The agreement also stipulates that if there is an unexpected failure in the infrastructure of HSL South, these consulting firms will bear the corresponding handling work. Previously, in 2022, design and construction errors were discovered in the concrete structure near Ripweitelin, resulting in a reduced speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour on the 300 kilometer per hour designed route. This repair work may proceed from south to north to restore normal line speed as soon as possible. The issue with the tenth elevated bridge will be dealt with separately. ProRail optimistically estimates that there will be no need for further large-scale work for at least 80 years after the repair is completed, but the estimated repair cost is as high as 500 million euros, and it is expected that the entire repair will be completed by 2031.

While advancing the repair work, legal actions are also being taken. In August, the Ministry of Infrastructure filed a legal lawsuit against Hollonse Meren, the HSL South construction consortium. However, the government has also sent a positive signal, expressing willingness to consider reaching a settlement through negotiations. This plan covers repair work, compensation for operators Dutch Railways and Eurostar, and compensation matters. Thierry Artzen, Secretary of State for Infrastructure Affairs, said, "I believe this consortium is aware of the seriousness of the situation and is willing to cooperate

The repair work of the HSL South high-speed line in the Netherlands not only involves the collaboration of multiple professional companies, but also requires proper handling of liability and compensation issues at the legal level. This series of measures not only reflects the Netherlands' emphasis on infrastructure safety and efficient operation, but also provides a reference for solving similar engineering problems. All parties look forward to working together and negotiating to restore the high-speed and safe operation of the HSL South high-speed line as soon as possible. Editor/Cheng Liting