Railway plans to shut down numerous regional routes for renovation
Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, has unveiled ambitious plans for the renovation of its main lines and regional networks, with the aim to continue this effort until the middle of the next decade.
In a presentation titled "Central Construction Information Dialogue" last month, DB InfraGo detailed the extensive construction plans for the years 2028 and 2029. The presentation included network maps marking both main and regional lines set for renovation.
The poor condition of many corridors in the network has led to the need for drastic measures, as stated by the top management of the State Railway Traffic News (EVN). Without these measures, the dilapidated rail network cannot be renovated.
One of the key aspects of the new renovation concept is the closure of tracks for renovation instead of working on them while they are in operation. This approach may result in weeks or months of closures for some regional tracks. However, it's important to note that a complete closure does not necessarily mean no local traffic is possible on these tracks. For example, one could drive from both sides up to the construction site.
The rail company believes that step-by-step renovation would take too long and result in frequent small-scale restrictions. Instead, they plan to bundle construction work into containers to minimize restrictions.
Early-defined construction phases followed by construction-free periods will provide more predictability for customers, more stable timetables, and peace in the system. Passengers can expect fewer trains and may have to switch to replacement buses during certain periods.
The renovation principle will be applied to 41 main lines. Some of the regional routes scheduled for renovation in 2028 include Köln–Koblenz, Koblenz–Mainz, München–Rosenheim, Hagen–Unna–Hamm, and Lübeck–Hamburg. In 2029, renovations are scheduled for Hamburg–Hannover, Würzburg–Ansbach–Treuchtlingen, Forbach–Ludwigshafen, and Aachen–Köln. Construction work typically begins early in these years.
The plans are still subject to change, and a revised construction program will follow after refining. InfraGo clarified that a "long-term complete closure over the entire track section" is not planned for all major construction sites in the coming years.
The new renovation concept was first introduced on the Frankfurt - Mannheim route last year. The presentation emphasizes that this approach will continue until the middle of the next decade, transforming Germany's rail network for the better.
Currently, there are no trains running on the main route between Berlin and Hamburg due to renovation. As the renovation plans continue to unfold, passengers are advised to stay informed and plan their travel accordingly.
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