Roadblock on Berlin-Hamburg highway: DB provides first updates
Headline: Hamburg-Berlin Railway Line Undergoes Nine-Month Renovation, Affecting Thousands of Commuters
The Hamburg-Berlin railway line, one of Germany's busiest routes, has commenced a comprehensive nine-month renovation on August 1, 2025. This extensive overhaul will affect both long-distance and regional traffic, with the entire 278-km line closed for passenger and freight traffic until April 30, 2026 [1][2][3].
The renovation is divided into three construction phases, covering Hamburg–Büchen, Büchen–Dergenthin, and Dergenthin–Berlin. The project involves upgrading infrastructure, including the renewal of over 180 km of track, replacement of around 200 switches, construction of six new grade-separated junctions, modernization of signaling and safety systems, installation of new interlocking technology, and upgrading 28 traffic control centers along the route [1][2]. Several branch lines connected to the main corridor, such as Mölln–Büchen–Lauenburg and Hagenow Stadt–Ludwigslust, will also be affected and upgraded [1][2].
For long-distance trains, services between Hamburg and Berlin will be rerouted to maintain direct connections, while services to Rostock and Stralsund will divert via Lübeck [2]. In contrast, regional traffic will rely on more than 170 replacement buses operating along the route to substitute train services, with real-time travel updates available on DB Navigator, bahn.de, and regional apps [2][3].
Some regional lines such as RE8, RE6, S1, and RB73 will be affected, with alternative routes and bus replacements arranged. For instance, a direct RE85 service from Schwerin to Berlin will run every two hours during the construction to provide faster connections and ease pressure on replacement buses [3].
The renovation aims to enhance capacity, improve freight operations, and upgrade safety and signaling infrastructure. However, the nine-month full closure will require comprehensive alternative travel arrangements for both long-distance and regional passengers [1][2][3].
Commuters in Brandenburg using regional traffic between Berlin and Wittenberge are particularly affected, with journeys taking longer due to replacement buses. The journey from Wittenberge in northwest Brandenburg to Berlin Hauptbahnhof will now take 3.5 hours instead of the usual 1.5 hours with the RE8 train [1]. From and to Wittenberge, only replacement buses will be running, which usually operate in half-hour or hourly intervals [1].
The rerouted ICE and IC trains take about 45 minutes longer on average [1]. The renovation is part of more than 40 corridor renovations aimed at updating the overloaded and dilapidated track network by 2036 [1].
As construction work progresses, the railway's employees, along with Ecovista, will take notes and adjust in the coming days [4]. Construction trains are transporting tons of rails, sleepers, and ballast from approximately 130 construction sites along the route [4]. The renovation includes renewal and modernization of tracks, signal boxes, overhead lines, and stations [4].
Passengers in regional traffic are dependent on buses due to the railway renovation, and no specific information about the frequency or duration of the replacement buses running from Berlin to Wittenberge is provided [1]. The paragraph does not provide information about the impact of the renovation on long-distance traffic [1]. The Hamburg-Berlin railway line renovation is a significant undertaking, impacting thousands of commuters and requiring careful planning and coordination.
[1] Deutsche Bahn (2025). Hamburg-Berlin railway line renovation. Retrieved from www.deutschebahn.com/en/navi/renovation-hamburg-berlin-railway-line
[2] Deutsche Bahn (2025). Hamburg-Berlin railway line renovation: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from www.deutschebahn.com/en/navi/faq-hamburg-berlin-railway-line-renovation
[3] Deutsche Bahn (2025). Alternative travel arrangements during the Hamburg-Berlin railway line renovation. Retrieved from www.deutschebahn.com/en/navi/alternative-travel-arrangements-hamburg-berlin-railway-line-renovation
[4] Ecovista (2025). Hamburg-Berlin railway line renovation: Construction progress. Retrieved from www.ecovista.com/en/news/hamburg-berlin-railway-line-renovation-construction-progress
- The nine-month renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin railway line not only affects passenger traffic but also involves upgrades in the freight industry, as it aims to improve freight operations and capacity.
- The extensive renovation in the transportation sector, spanning finance, infrastructure, and safety systems, is a part of more than 40 corridor renovations planned by 2036, investing in the future of the industry and accommodating the growing need for efficient travel in Germany.
