Today, a step has been taken in the realization of the railway connection between Coevorden and Bad Bentheim. The lifting of the monumental drawbridge over the Coevorden-Vecht Canal shows that the plans are becoming tangible. The railway bridge of the Bentheimer Eisenbahn is being renovated and prepared for future passenger transport.
The bridge will receive a new coat of paint and major technical maintenance. As a result, the mechanism will soon be able to open and close smoothly again. The control system will also be renewed, enabling remote operation from Nordhorn. The railway bridge will be reinstalled in April 2026.
Cross-Border Train Traffic
Deputy Henk Jumelet: “With this intervention, the bridge will remain strong and reliable for the coming decades. At the same time, we are preparing the railway connection for a new phase: from the end of 2026, travelers from Coevorden will be able to travel directly to Bad Bentheim. This is not only an investment in infrastructure but especially in connection, cooperation, and the future of our region.”
Project REGIOPA
The maintenance and adjustments to the drawbridge on the German side are part of the larger REGIOPA project. This project develops the railway connection between Coevorden and Bad Bentheim step by step. Thus, cross-border passenger transport by train will become a reality by the end of 2026.
