NETHERLANDS: The Executive Board of Greater Utrecht Authority selected contractors on December 1 to supply the infrastructure and rolling stock for the Uithof tram line. Once approved by the full board, the contracts would be signed on December 23 after the usual standstill period.
Royal BAM Group has been selected to undertake the infrastructure work, including construction of the track, electrification and stops. Following a period for preparatory work and engineering, the main construction work is expected to begin in late 2015 or early 2016. The substructure for the route is almost complete, with civil works having started in 2011.
CAF is to supply 27 low-floor vehicles of around 32 m in length, the first of which is to be delivered to the existing Nieuwegein sneltram depot in January 2017.
Now expected to open in mid-2018, the 7·5 km, nine-stop line will connect Utrecht Centraal station with the university and hospital complex at De Uithof. The total cost of the project is put at €440m.
