Berlin to Hamburg Renovation: Railways Enhance Station Appearance - Berlin-Hamburg Railway Restoration: Stations Regain Operational Speed
The German Railway (Deutsche Bahn) has unveiled an extensive station rehabilitation and infrastructure modernization project on the Berlin-Hamburg route, scheduled to commence in August 2025 and conclude in April 2026. This nine-month closure aims to address long-standing infrastructure issues and improve the reliability of passenger and freight transport[1].
### Key details of the rehabilitation project:
- **Duration and Scope**: - The Hamburg-Berlin line will be closed for nine months, from August 2025 to April 2026. - Over 180 kilometers of track and around 200 switches will be renewed. - Six new crossovers will be added to enhance operational flexibility, allowing faster passenger trains to overtake slower freight trains safely[1].
- **Station Modernization**: - A total of 28 stations across five federal states will be modernized, including key stops in Brandenburg such as Falkensee, Wittenberge, and Brieselang. - Upgrades will typically involve station infrastructure renewal, platform modernization, barrier-free access improvements, and enhanced passenger facilities to handle increased passenger volumes more efficiently and comfortably[1].
- **Passenger and Freight Impact**: - Long-distance trains will be rerouted via Uelzen and Stendal during the closure, adding approximately 45 minutes to the journey time. - Buses will cover cancelled stops on the Berlin-Hamburg route, sometimes with significantly longer travel times. - Some regional lines will ensure fast train connections to Berlin and Hamburg during the renovation.
### Station Transformations:
- 11 of the 28 stations will become "future railway stations," offering enhanced weather protection, new waiting furniture, increased accessibility, eco-friendly lighting, and better bicycle parking facilities. - The stations in the Havelland region (Falkensee) and Prignitz district (Wittenberge, Brieselang, Neustadt (Dosse) in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district) will also undergo renovation. - The station Berlin-Albrechtshof in the Spandau district will become a future railway station. - The stations to be modernized are: Seegefeld, Falkensee, Finkenkrug, Brieselang, Nauen, Paulinenaue, Friesack (Mark), Neustadt (Dosse), Breddin, Glöwen, Bad Wilsnack, Wittenberge, and Karstädt.
The section between Berlin and Hamburg is one of the most important direct connections, with approximately 280 kilometers in length. The modernization project is part of InfraGO's ongoing efforts to modernize 13 stations along the Berlin-Hamburg route, aiming to reduce delays caused by outdated infrastructure and improve passenger and freight transport reliability[1]. The stations will also be designed to be easily recognizable.
[1] Deutsche Bahn, "Modernisation des Berlin-Hamburger Streckenabschnitts," accessed on February 20, 2023,
- The modernization project on the Berlin-Hamburg route, led by Deutsche Bahn, includes the community policy of redesigning 13 stations along the line to be easily recognizable, thus enhancing the overall visual identity of the infrastructure.
- As part of the InfraGO's station rehabilitation and infrastructure modernization project, the railway company provides vocational training programs for employees involved in the transformation of stations, ensuring their skill development in the industry, while maintaining financial efficiencies and effective transportation services.
