Major train disruptions at Amsterdam Centraal begin March 29 amid long-term renovations

Train travel to, from, and via Amsterdam Centraal will be heavily impacted starting March 29 due to extensive infrastructure work. No trains will operate from the station that day, and only limited service will be available on March 30 and 31. Disruptions will continue throughout April, according to the Dutch rail operator NS.

As part of a long-term renovation project at Amsterdam Centraal, the railway tracks are being restructured to widen and extend platforms. The work includes replacing the Oostertoegang rail bridges, a critical infrastructure component. “This is an enormous logistical challenge, as we need to keep parts of the station operational during the construction,” said Harro Homan, ProRail’s regional director. The renovations, which began in 2021, are expected to last until 2030 to accommodate a projected increase in daily passengers from 200,000 to 275,000.

NS has adjusted schedules to mitigate disruption, providing alternative routes and replacement transport. Travelers are advised to avoid peak hours. Between April 1 and 13, services toward Muiderpoort and Weesp will be modified, increasing congestion on the alternative route between Utrecht and Amsterdam.

From April 14 to 23, fewer trains will operate between Amsterdam Centraal and Amersfoort and Almere. International train schedules will also be affected. Extra NS personnel, additional signage, and announcements will be in place, and NS tickets will reportedly be valid on metro services, with shuttle buses available.

Separately, delays continue for the high-speed rail viaduct at Rijpwetering in Zuid-Holland. The repair schedule has been pushed back again, with work now expected to start in 2027, Staatssecretaris Chris Jansen (Public Transport, PVV) confirmed in a letter to the Tweede Kamer. Initial estimates set the timeline for 2025, then 2026. The viaduct, along with nine others, was found to have structural defects, while shifting ground has caused an 8-centimeter displacement since 2009.

Temporary speed restrictions were imposed on the affected section, reducing train speeds from the intended 300 kilometers per hour to 80 kilometers per hour. In December, this was raised to 120 kilometers per hour, which Jansen called “a meaningful improvement for passengers.” However, it remains unclear when the other viaducts will be repaired. ProRail expects to finalize the planning process in 2025. Jansen emphasized the complexity of the repairs and the strict safety requirements involved in the work.