General overhaul of the Hamburg – Berlin line: start of the next stage

Against this backdrop, Deutsche Bahn has launched a comprehensive general overhaul program for the rail network in cooperation with the federal government. A total of 40 sections of track, so-called high-performance corridors, with a total length of around 4,000 track kilometers will undergo a general overhaul in the coming years. The aim of this program is to transform the currently heavily used rail network in Germany into a modern high-performance network by 2030 and to sustainably renew the infrastructure on the planned sections.   

The starting signal for this ambitious program was given in July 2024 with the general overhaul of the Riedbahn, one of the most heavily used high-performance corridors in Germany’s rail infrastructure. Extensive modernization work will be carried out on a 70-kilometre stretch between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim in a record time of five months. However, this measure is only the first step, as the general overhaul of the Hamburg – Berlin line, another high-performance corridor of the German rail network, will follow once the refurbishment work on the Riedbahn has been completed.

Modern infrastructure for a strong rail system

Between August 2025 and April 2026, the Hamburg – Berlin line will be completely closed to train traffic in order to carry out numerous works on tracks, points and overhead lines. Experience and lessons learned from the general overhaul of the Riedbahn will be incorporated into the project in order to further optimize the maintenance and modernization measures. The figures speak for themselves: around 30% of the track kilometers, over 50% of the points and almost 90% of the signal boxes for the control and safety technology are affected by the refurbishment work. 

In addition to the track renewal work, the stations along the route are also to be modernized. This comprehensive maintenance will not only make the infrastructure safer and more efficient, but also improve the passenger experience. Accessibility, modern passenger information and an overall more attractive station image will help to make the line fit for the future.   

A major advantage of the overhaul measures on the Hamburg – Berlin line will be the reduction in system-related disruptions to train services. For passengers, this means fewer delays and increased reliability of rail traffic. Additional crossovers will create more flexibility in operations, which should make it much easier to plan and run train connections in the future.   

Detour instead of standstill

The closure of the Hamburg – Berlin high-performance corridor for a period of nine months will be a challenge for many travelers and freight traffic. In order to minimize the impact of the construction work, Deutsche Bahn is working closely with the affected railroad companies and the federal states on a comprehensive replacement concept. The plan is to divert traffic to alternative routes during the construction phase so that both passenger and freight traffic can continue as smoothly as possible and reach their destinations reliably and predictably. 

Initial preparatory work from 2024

Even before the actual general overhaul, the first maintenance measures are already underway to ensure traffic safety and prepare the infrastructure for the upcoming major renovation. Between 16 August and 14 December 2024, for example, 100 points, three culverts and a total of 74 kilometers of track will be replaced in advance. In addition, part of the slab track will be replaced.   

As part of this work, DB E&C is making an important contribution to the project and providing active support with services in the areas of design as well as environmental and geoservices. Specifically, this means, for example, that multicopter aerial surveys or the 360° multi-sensor platform are being used to survey sections of track and traffic stations to ensure seamless planning. 

In order to minimize the impact on passengers, these measures will be carried out in a bundle. During this period, long-distance and freight services will be completely suspended, while local and regional services will only be affected by the closures in sections.   

Another high-performance corridor on the way to a high-performance network

With the completion of the general overhaul of the Hamburg – Berlin line, the German rail network will take another step towards becoming a modern, high-performance network. Passengers can look forward to a significantly improved infrastructure that is less prone to disruption and allows more flexibility in operation. The general overhaul is an important step towards further strengthening the railroad as an environmentally friendly and viable means of transport for the future. In the long term, this modernization should help the Hamburg-Berlin high-performance corridor to maintain its leading position as one of the most important and efficient connections in Germany.