Major power grid upgrade underway: cycle path closure affects Waalre and Valkenswaard until late 2026
Residents of Waalre and Valkenswaard face disruptions as Enexis upgrades power cables under the De Oude Spoorbaan cycle path. The project, essential for a reliable electricity supply amid rising demand, will last until the end of 2026 with diversions in place.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | Netverzwaring Waalre - Valkenswaard |
| Contractor | Hurkmans |
| Method | Horizontal directional drilling (1 km long, 20 m deep) |
| Cycle path closure | De Oude Spoorbaan (closed until end of 2026) |
| Diversion route | Eindhovenseweg – Valkenswaardseweg – Lissevenlaan |
| Additional closures | Willibrorduslaan (weekends of 10-12 April and 24-26 April) |
| Updates | Published weekly in de BouwApp |
| Reason for upgrade | Increased electricity demand due to electrification, solar panels, and charging points |
Enexis, the regional grid operator, is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the electricity network to ensure a reliable and safe power supply. This project is part of broader efforts to accommodate growing energy demands and support the transition to sustainable energy sources.
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Read the full translated article below
Enexis starts laying power cables under De Oude Spoorbaan cycle path
Since the end of January, the cycle path has been closed. After months of preparatory work, the first drilling under the cycle path was carried out last week. The new power cables between Waalre and Valkenswaard are being laid using horizontal directional drilling. This has a length of one kilometre and a depth of almost 20 metres.
On the De Oude Spoorbaan cycle path, the drill pipes are laid out and welded together to form one long pipe. Once the drilling is complete, the pipe is inserted into the borehole and the cables are pulled through. Several boreholes are required to lay the cables under the four-kilometre-long cycle path. Contractor Hurkmans is carrying out the work.
Necessary evil
Due to nationwide electrification, more and more electricity is being used and generated, for example through solar panels and charging points. New, stronger cables are needed to keep the electricity supply reliable and safe. Unfortunately, this cannot be done without causing some inconvenience. By combining work and taking other projects into account in the planning (such as the reconstruction of Heikantstraat), the inconvenience is kept to a minimum.
Road closures and diversions
The work will continue throughout the year. De Oude Spoorbaan will remain closed until the end of 2026. A diversion is in place via Eindhovenseweg – Valkenswaardseweg – Lissevenlaan. On Burgemeester Mollaan, there is a short bicycle diversion until the end of April. The Willibrorduslaan will be closed between Het Huis van Waalre and the intersection with the cycle path on the weekend of 10-11-12 April and the weekend of 24-25-26 April.
Stay informed
Updates on the work are published almost weekly in de BouwApp. You can leave comments and ask questions. The project can be found under the name ‘Netverzwaring Waalre - Valkenswaard’.
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