High-Speed Rail Nightmare: HSL Closure Extended to 3.5 Months in 2028 – What Expats Need to Know

If you’ve ever taken the high-speed line (HSL) between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you know it’s supposed to be fast – 300 km/h fast. But for years, a stretch near Rijpwetering has forced trains to crawl at 120 km/h. Now, ProRail has announced that repairs will take even longer than originally thought, meaning major disruptions for both domestic and international travellers.

In an update on 27 August 2026, the rail infrastructure manager revealed that the viaduct repairs near Rijpwetering are more complex than expected. Instead of the previously announced 82 days of closure, the line between Hoofddorp and Rotterdam will now be shut for about three and a half months in 2028 and an additional 50 days in 2029 (NOS).

Why the delay?

ProRail says that after further investigation, it’s not just about fixing damage. The foundations and abutments of several viaducts need structural modifications. This is a legacy of construction errors that have plagued the HSL since it opened. The speed limit between Leiderdorp and Hoofddorp – capped at 120 km/h – won’t be lifted until 2031 at the earliest, according to the agency.

What does this mean for international travellers?

The closed section is a key link for trains heading from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and onward to Belgium and France. During the closure periods, Thalys (now Eurostar) and Intercity Direct services will need to be rerouted or replaced. ProRail says it is “investigating alternative routes for international train traffic,” but no concrete details have been released yet. Expect slower journeys, longer layovers, and potentially bus replacements during those months.

For expats living in The Hague or Rotterdam who commute to Amsterdam, the closures will be a major headache. The HSL is the fastest connection; without it, you’ll be stuck on the slower Intercity (which takes about 40 minutes instead of 25) or on a crowded bus. The exact dates of the closures haven’t been set, but ProRail will announce them well in advance – keep an eye on their website and the NS travel planner.

A wider pattern of reliability issues

This isn’t an isolated incident. ProRail is under fire for repeatedly exceeding its own limit for “major disruptions.” In 2025, it was fined €2.75 million after recording 586 such incidents – above the agreed cap of 520. This year (2026) looks no better: by 31 August, the count was already at 391, and ProRail’s CEO Mirjam van Velthuizen told AD that the 2027 limit will also be breached.

Causes range from cable fires (like the one near Rotterdam in June 2026 that shut down traffic for a week) to animals burrowing under tracks. “Our rail network is under increasing pressure, and extreme weather plays a bigger role every year,” van Velthuizen said. For expats, this means that even outside the planned HSL closures, you should build extra time into your journeys – especially during storms, heatwaves, or heavy snowfall.

Practical advice for expats

• Check your route – If you travel between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, prepare for longer journeys in 2028–2029. Consider using the slower Intercity or working from home on days when the HSL is closed.
• International travel – If you plan trips to Brussels or Paris in 2028–2029, book tickets early and be ready for schedule changes. Eurostar/Thaljes will likely announce alternative routes closer to the date.
• Stay informed – ProRail’s alerts page and the NS app will have updates. Also, follow @ProRail for real-time news.
• Speed limits remain – Even when the line is open, trains are limited to 120 km/h near Rijpwetering until 2031. Don’t expect the full 300 km/h experience anytime soon.

The HSL saga is a classic Dutch infrastructure tale: ambitious engineering meets stubborn geology, and the bill comes due years later. For now, plan for delays – and maybe invest in a good podcast for the longer train rides.