ProRail to electrify Almelo–Mariënberg line by December 2028

The Dutch state and the province of Overijssel signed the administrative agreement on 6 October 2025 to electrify the 18 km Almelo–Mariënberg line; the investment is just under EUR 75 million, and more than 3,000 passengers use the line each day. ProRail will install the overhead line and two substations at Vriezenveen and Vroomshoop, opened the tender for the construction contract in February 2026 and expected to award it in mid-2026; first works are due to start after the 2027 summer holidays. Electric trains are due to run from December 2028, when Arriva continues regional services under a new 15-year contract; nationwide, 551 km of track still has no overhead line. Announced on 6 October 2025; the date is a placeholder: only December 2028 is given, with no exact day. (LOK Report, 27 Feb 2026; earlier report of 10 Oct 2025)