ProRail permanently removes unsecured Meuser Street level crossing

In December, ProRail already closed the level crossing with fences. And since December, local residents, hikers and management and maintenance vehicles of the municipality, water board and ProRail can pass under the tracks during the day via the refurbished former cattle tunnel.  

ProRail works on track for two nights

From Monday evening, February 19, 11:00 p.m. until Wednesday morning, February 21, 05:30 a.m., ProRail is working to remove the level crossing. They are removing the section of road that crosses the tracks and putting up permanent fencing. They are also repairing the paths and leveling the ground.
ProRail is taking the surroundings into account as much as possible, but machines are needed to carry out the work. So there may be more noise than normal. They also have to put the machines on the track and take them out again.

The residents of Meuser Street received a letter with information from ProRail this week (week 6) . You can also download this letter in PDF format.

Why is the level crossing on Meuser Street disappearing? 

In 2018, the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works decided to remove all unsecured level crossings in the Netherlands. ProRail must therefore remove 180 unprotected level crossings on the passenger network An unprotected level crossing is also called a NABO: Not Actively Secured Level Crossing.

At a NABO, people have to look out for themselves if a train is coming. That makes these level crossings dangerous. Especially if they are in a place where anyone can come. This is because more and more trains are crossing level crossings in the Netherlands. And these trains are becoming faster and quieter. 

No more NABOs in Kerkrade

In Kerkrade, there were still two such dangerous level crossings in 2018: on Torenstraat in Eygelshoven and on Meuserstraat in Haanrade. ProRail already removed the Torenstraat level crossing in 2022. In the place of that level crossing there is now a pedestrian tunnel under the tracks. The level crossing on Meuserstraat will also be completely gone by the end of February. There will then be no more NABOs in Kerkrade. 

More about the approach to NABOs in Kerkrade can be found on the page Tackling unsecured level crossings in Kerkrade