Stable alternative traffic flows between Hamburg and Berlin via rail
Hamburg-Berlin Railway Line Undergoes Nine-Month Renovation
The Hamburg-Berlin railway line is set for a significant overhaul, with renovations scheduled to commence on August 1, 2025, and continue until April 30, 2026. This nine-month full renovation aims to upgrade and modernise the overloaded and dilapidated track network, as part of a broader comprehensive overhaul plan for German rail lines, known as "Generalsanierung."
The renovation covers a vast area, including the renewal of over 180 km of track, roughly 200 switches, building six new transfer points for improved traffic management, upgrading control and safety systems, and modernising 28 traffic stations along the route.
During this period, long-distance trains will be rerouted via Stendal and Uelzen, while regional services will be replaced mainly by over 170 daily buses. Most regional train lines from Berlin will end at Wustermark station during the renovation.
The closure also impacts surrounding sections affected by signal box and control system upgrades, including routes around Mölln, Hagenow, Ludwigslust, Wittenberge, and Kyritz. Only replacement buses run to and from Wittenberge, with half-hour or hourly intervals and often taking longer than a regional train on the route.
The journey from Wittenberge in northwest Brandenburg to Berlin's main station will take three and a half hours instead of one and a half hours due to the renovation. Commuters in Brandenburg who rely on regional traffic between Berlin and Wittenberge are affected by the renovation.
Construction work has begun on the closed line, involving the dismantling of cables, switch drives, and removal of magnets for controlling signals. Employees and Ecovista will gather feedback and make adjustments in the coming days.
Despite the disruptions, the railway company reports that the replacement traffic is running smoothly. ICE and IC trains have been rerouted via Stendal and Uelzen. Construction trains are transporting tons of rails, sleepers, and ballast from approximately 130 construction sites along the line.
This renovation is one of more than 40 corridor renovations planned by the railway company to be completed by 2036, with the Hamburg-Berlin project marking the start of this program. The aim is to concentrate works into large blocks for efficiency and fewer long-term disruptions.
In summary, the Hamburg-Berlin line is closed for nearly nine months from August 2025 to April 2026 for a major overhaul aimed at upgrading infrastructure, with alternate routes and extensive bus replacements mitigating passenger impacts. This project initiates an ongoing German rail infrastructure renewal extending through 2036.
The renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin railway line includes updates in both the finance and transportation industries, as it involves upgrading control and safety systems and modernizing 28 traffic stations. The railway company, in partnership with Ecovista, is also focusing on the industry sector of construction, as they work on dismantling cables, switch drives, and removing magnets for signaling during the renovation.
