Rail Renovations and Expansions in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: A Glimpse into Major Projects
Accelerated Execution of Crucial Multiregional Rail Network Development Plans - swift execution plans for interregional rail infrastructure development projects
The political brass in Schwerin are giving the federal government a speaking to! Why? You guessed it! They want the rail services in our beloved Mecklenburg-Vorpommern to be beefed up. Yes, you heard it right, people! Thedarssonbahn and the expansion of the main rail axis between Berlin and Rügen, Usedom, and Stralsund are more than just fancy names. They're the heartbeat of our region.
A motion, initiated by the SPD and the Left, was thrown into the ring, with support from parts of the opposition after making some necessary tweaks, and guess who's rocking the fast lane? The Berlin-Sassnitz railway line! This puppy is set to kick its speed up from a moderate 120 km/h to a blistering 160 km/h. According to the traffic light coalition, this upgrade comes as a sort of apology for constructing that controversial Rügen LNG terminal. The project, with an estimated tag of €500 million, is part of the federal transport infrastructure plan.
But wait! There's more! Usedom's southern connection is on the urgent need list. The renovation of the train stations on the Hamburg-Berlin high-speed line and the reactivation of the Karnin Bridge for access to the island of Usedom from the south by rail are also on the cards. Adding an electrified west-east tangent from Lübeck via Güstrow, Pasewalk, and Neubrandenburg to Szczecin, and part of it expanded to double tracks, gives our cross-border mobility a boost!
However, the CDU and the AfD reminded the state government of its duty to ensure the rail and bus services. The CDU, not impressed by the red-red's promises of improvements, voted against the motion. On the other hand, the AfD, advocating for road expansion due to public transport gaps, abstained. The Greens, on the other hand, criticized the SPD and Left for not pushing hard enough with their rail motion, but managed to push through some amendments before voting in favor.
Key Points and Insights:
- Berlin-Sassnitz rail project expansion is a vital route linking Berlin with Rügen and Sassnitz for both passengers and freight.
- No recent updates on cost or completion date for upgrades or expansions on this line are available.
- Regional strategies aim to improve accessibility and support cross-border mobility in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and beyond.
- Darssonbahn rail line serves the Darsson peninsula, and its upgrade plans are likely part of the region's connectivity focus.
- The railway connection between Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Szczecin (Poland) is a crucial cross-border link under Interreg A and various European cooperation programs.
- Progress on these projects is likely incremental, with funding announcements and regional transport authorities' updates providing more precise updates.
- Projects align with broader strategic frameworks aiming to improve rail transport accessibility, energy transition compatibility, and cross-border integration across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Northeast Germany.
- The community in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is advocating for improvements in their rail services, specifically mentioning the expansion of the main rail axis, Berlin-Rügen, Usedom, and Stralsund, which are crucial components for the region.
- The traffic light coalition has announced plans to speed up the Berlin-Sassnitz railway line from 120 km/h to 160 km/h as part of the federal transport infrastructure plan, estimated to cost €500 million.
- More projects in the pipeline include the renovation of Usedom's southern train stations, reactivation of the Karnin Bridge, and the construction of an electrified west-east tangent from Lübeck to Szczecin, which will boost cross-border mobility.
- Although the CDU and the AfD have reminded the state government of its responsibility to ensure rail and bus services, their stances differ: while the CDU voted against the rail motion, the AfD abstained, advocating for road expansion due to public transport gaps.
