Groningen station: ready for the future

Groningen Station is undergoing a major metamorphosis. Whereas the monumental station building had a ceremonial function for many years, it now once again has the function of main entrance. Step by step, a future-proof transportation hub and an area where travelers and residents feel at home are being created. With the construction of an underground passenger passage, a bicycle tunnel, bicycle storage for thousands of bicycles, a bus underpass and a new bus station, Groningen will have a station that does justice to both the past and the future.

Strukton is performing the work for client ProRail, which also represents the province of Groningen and the municipality of Groningen. “One of the main goals of the renovation and expansion is to connect both parts of the city around the tracks,” says Marcel Kampman of Strukton Infra Specials. “This is done with a wide passenger passage and a bicycle tunnel, which provide a logical and safe connection. At the same time, plenty of space has been created for meeting and accommodation, entirely in line with architect Koen van Velsen's vision. A station is not only a place where you arrive or depart, but also where people like to stay and where there is life. Amenities such as stores, cafes and restaurants make the station a lively part of town.”

History and modern vision hand in hand

The current station building, a national monument, will remain the beating heart of the whole. “The architecture of the extension carefully matches the historical style, including red bricks and yellow concrete that refer to the past,” says Jos van der Molen of Strukton Infra Specials. “At the same time, new elements are added, such as green roofs and modern platform caps. This creates an organic transition from old to new: from the restored monumental canopy at the main building to the sleek, modern canopies at the new platforms.” Even historic objects, such as the former signal box and passerelle, have been given a place again. “These were temporarily moved for construction, restored and then returned to their original positions,” says Marco Prins of Strukton Infra Specials. “The result is a station that breathes history, but at the same time is completely ready for the future.”

High-quality finishes and exceptional materials

The construction is complex and is being carried out by several Strukton companies, in close cooperation with external partners. “Installations have been outsourced to SPIE, while other parties are responsible for finishing components such as natural stone, masonry and exclusive wooden window frames,” says Prins. “For a station, the materials used are exceptionally high quality. This high level of finishing makes Groningen Station the most beautiful station in the Netherlands.” Kampman also shares this opinion, saying, “The architect has a distinct vision that is visible down to the smallest details: from the special lighting with specially designed fixtures to the carefully chosen color schemes. Where many stations are designed in a purely functional way, Groningen station has a look and feel befitting an urban residential area.”

Phasing of the megaproject

The project was carried out in several phases. “As early as 2020, the marshalling yard was moved to make room for the construction pit,” Van der Molen looks back.  

“Then followed the construction of diaphragm wall structures for the underground floors: at -2 the bicycle basement for 6,000 bicycles, at -1 the passenger passage and above that the platforms with their hoods. The bus underpass, a tunnel of over 300 meters, will allow city buses to pass under the tracks from north to south. On the south side of the station a completely new bus station will be constructed. People are also considered here, with a driver's lounge, green spaces and facilities for energy and technology.”

Business card

What will also make Groningen Station special soon is its green character.
The platforms and plazas will have green roofs, trees and seating areas. “Instead of a stony thoroughfare, a kind of urban park is created through which the railroad tracks run naturally,” says Prins. “That's also the strength of the design. We looked at the entire plan integrally in the preliminary process. Building the basement in two layers instead of as one very large layer creates more space for greenery and other functions. The Municipality of Groningen was immediately enthusiastic about this design, which also fits in well with the new housing development on the south side of the city. We as Strukton companies together with Koen van Velsen have really made a statement with this design.”

Decommissioning of 64 days

The scope of the project is significant. “The project has been underway for several years, but until April 2024 it played out mostly underground,” said Kampman. “A lot was happening, but mostly out of sight of the surrounding area. Starting last April, the new station really took shape. And during the final 64-day out-of-service period last summer, everything was put in place to open the station, with the entire infra being modified, including the construction of the new tracks and platforms.” Such a long out-of-service period, by the way, was unique by Dutch standards. Never before had a station been taken out of service for so long. “During this period, work was carried out 24/7. Here we proved once again that as ‘one Strukton’ we are able to man this kind of complex challenge like no other and complete it successfully. The process went almost to the minute according to plan.”

After a 64-day decommissioning period, the renovated Groningen station was officially inaugurated on July 13. Although the trains are back on schedule, the station is not yet completely finished. Strukton is still working on finishing the bus underpass, the new bus station and the bicycle basement. It is also still completing the station stores and the ground level around the station is being laid and decorated. But at least the foundation has been laid: station ^­Groningen is ready for the future.