In December 2002, after a six year construction period, Germany´s high-speed train "InterCityExpress" (ICE) initiated service between Cologne and Frankfurt. With this ICE connection the neighboring countries Germany and the Netherlands have become yet one step closer. The train speeds up to 300 km/h. Travelling time was cut from 136 to 76 minutes. The train runs six times a day and is fully integrated in the European long distance train system.

A team from our German geotechnical department contributed their expertise to realize the ICE´s ambitious aims of speed and travelling comfort, reliability and low service costs.

Part of our contribution was to transform soil into a material with defined technical properties that can withstand the high requirements of high-speed rail traffic. Our geotechnical engineers developed the innovative "Earthwork Concept" especially for this railroad line. With this "Earthwork Concept" ARCADIS Germany has won the Railway technology innovation award 2005 as most innovative Consultant/Service Agency. Awarded by the German interdisciplinary research and development association for railway technology (IVF), it is granted only once every five years.