Four-Year Extension for German Rail's Track Renovation Plan
Railway seeks extension for line's refurbishment duration
German Rail has announced a revised plan for renovating critical railway tracks, with the completion date now pushed back to 2035, four years beyond the initial estimate [1][2]. The delayed renovation aims to modernize over 40 congested and outdated rail corridors, preparing them for digital advancement [2].
The adjusted proposal was presented at an industry forum, with discussions scheduled for July to finalize the plan [3]. Critics, including competitors and skeptical politicians, have voiced concerns over the earlier timeline's feasibility due to insufficient planning for detour routes [3].
The revised timeline addresses the poor reliability of long-distance train traffic, which has deteriorated due to the aged and burdened infrastructure, necessitating regular construction sites that slow down rail traffic [2]. After the comprehensive renovation, the lines should remain construction-free for at least five years [2].
Delays Starting in 2027
The renovation project commenced last year on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim. This year, the Hamburg-Berlin route will be undergoing renovations. During the renovation period, corridors will be closed completely to expedite the works [4].
As per the proposed plan, the renovations will continue according to the original schedule until 2026, with delays beginning in 2027 [4]. Among the affected routes, the Frankfurt-Heidelberg line would be renovated in 2030, instead of the original 2027 [4]. The Luübeck-Hamburg route will experience a one-year delay, commencing renovations in 2028 [4].
The renovation of four routes in 2028 will be reduced to just four, with the Würzburg-Ansbach-Treuchtlingen, Aachen-Köln, Forbach-Ludwigshafen, Minden-Wunstorf, and Weddel-Magdeburg routes facing delays [4]. The only renovation scheduled for 2035 will be the Flensburg-Hamburg route [4].
This careful and phased approach minimizes the impact on passengers while ensuring that the renovated lines remain free of construction for at least five years, promoting service reliability and minimizing disruptions [2].
Source: ntv.de, lar/dpa
- German Rail
- Train Traffic
- Berlin
[1] Deutsche Bahn revised its major renovation plan for key railway lines in Germany, extending the timeline for these works to be completed by 2035. ([Enrichment])[2] This revised plan includes the overhaul of more than 40 heavily used and outdated rail corridors aimed at fundamentally modernizing the network and preparing it for digital expansion. ([Enrichment])[3] The delay in the timetable addresses criticisms regarding insufficient preparation of diversion routes and operational feasibility. ([Enrichment])[4] The goal of this extended renovation program is not only to modernize the infrastructure but also to ensure that, after completion, the renovated lines remain free of construction work for at least five years, improving rail service reliability and reducing disruptions. ([Enrichment])
Vocational training programs could be implemented within the community policy to prepare skilled workforce for the upcoming vocational training opportunities in the renovation industry, which is expected to experience growth due to the four-year extension in German Rail's track renovation plan. Adequate finance will be crucial to execute both, the vocational training programs and the expansive renovation project, with the latter aiming to modernize more than 40 rail corridors across Germany.
