CONSTRUCTION & FOUNDATIONS

Strabag consortium takes on Oldenburg-Wilhelmshaven rail upgrade

A consortium of Strabag companies undertakes the upgrade of the Oldenburg-Wilhelmshaven rail line

 Strabag's construction contract for the 5.7 km railway line within the municipal limits of Sande in the district of Friesland

Strabag's construction contract for the 5.7 km railway line within the municipal limits of Sande in the district of Friesland

The new track section will bypass Sande to the east of the municipality and comprises a 4km long double-track new line as well as the addition of a second track to an existing 1.7km section. The tracks within the municipality itself will be dismantled. The contract has a value of about €115 million. The construction works are scheduled to last 3-1/2 years.

Due to the peat soils in the area, extensive preloading of the ground is necessary. This will be achieved by Strabag AG with the application of around 1 million m³ of sand filling. In the vicinity of high embankments, 200,000 running metres of geotextile-encased sand columns with a length of around 12-15m each will be installed. These so-called GEC columns will help to reduce the level of settlement while stabilising the subsoil. In the lower embankment areas, settlement will be accelerated through 2,600km of vertical drains.