HSL-Zuid
The Hogesnelheidslijn Zuid usually shortened to HSL-Zuid, is a Dutch high-speed train line under construction (completion expected in 2007). It will carry French Thalys trains from Amsterdam to Paris, as well as trains to Brussels and domestic trains to Breda. These trains will be operated by the High Speed Alliance, a subsidary of Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Dutch Railways) and KLM. The line is being built by Rijkswaterstaat as the largest public-private partnership in the Netherlands. The consortium Infraspeed is responsible for building the tracks and the electrical equipment along the line. Infraspeed also holds a concession for maintaining the railway line until 2030. The line will feature state of the art techonology, including ETCS level 2 train control systems, provided by Siemens and Alcatel.
Route
Between Amsterdam and Schiphol the high speed trains will use the existing line. Just south of Schiphol the trains will enter dedictated high speed tracks running beside the existing railway line. From there on it follows the A4 motorway. To the North of Leiden the HSL line enters a tunnel under Leiderdorp and a region called the "Green Heart" of Holland. Just North of Zoetermeer the train line leaves the tunnel and continues via Bergschenhoek to Rotterdam Central Station. From here the trains run on existing tracks again for a few kilometers before entering the high speed line again between Rotterdam and Barendrecht. In Barendrecht the line runs beside the existing railway as well as the Betuweroute. It then continues through the Hoekse Waard area, bypassing Dordrecht. South of Dordrecht, it runs beside both the exiting railway to Breda as well as the A16 / E19 motorway. Near Breda a branch line connects the high speed railway with the station of this town. South of Breda, the line follows the motorway towards Antwerp.
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