General overhaul of the Hamburg – Berlin line

For this reason, the route is scheduled for a general overhaul from August 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. During this period, DB will renew and modernize the infrastructure and stations between Germany’s two largest metropolitan areas. The project takes inspiration from the Riedbahn pilot project — the line between Frankfurt/Main and Mannheim, which was renovated in 2024 under the new concept.

Construction phase: nine months of full closure for maximum efficiency

From August 2025 to April 2026, the line will be fully closed for nine months to carry out modernization work in a concentrated and efficient manner. During this time, over 180 kilometers of track and around 200 switches will be renewed. Additionally, DB will carry out work at 28 stations across five federal states. Six new crossovers will be added to provide greater operational flexibility, enabling faster passenger trains to safely overtake slower freight trains.

To minimize the impact of the construction work, public transport authorities and rail operators, together with DB, have developed a comprehensive transport plan. Long-distance trains will continue to operate between Hamburg and Berlin. As with previous construction projects, direct trains will be rerouted via Uelzen and Stendal. Travel time between Hamburg and Berlin will increase by 45 minutes. Trains will stop in Salzwedel and Stendal, with alternating hourly stops in Lüneburg or Uelzen. At the start of the general overhaul, direct replacement buses (IC buses) will run between Wittenberge or Ludwigslust and Hamburg. 

To replace regional train services that cannot operate during the construction period, more than 170 buses will be deployed along the entire Hamburg – Berlin corridor during peak times. These buses will run on a total of 27 routes and cover up to 86,000 kilometers daily. 

Our specialists are involved in the design work for track infrastructure, overhead lines, electrical power systems, structural engineering, as well as control and safety technology. In addition, the existing infrastructure of DB InfraGO is being documented using drone flights, followed by the creation of detailed digital models. Designers have also created alignment designs in many areas. Our teams support the project with construction supervision services, including measures related to signaling and safety systems, and are extensively involved in project management. In certain sections, required geotechnical assessments and expert reports have also been prepared. This comprehensive technical expertise ensures that the complex demands of modern rail infrastructure can be optimally met. 

In addition to track renewal, stations along the route are also being modernized – with our experts providing support here as well. These transport stations will receive new weather shelters, barrier-free access, and a unified design concept. Some stations will be completely transformed into so-called “stations of the future,” setting new standards for passenger comfort and service. Accessibility, modern passenger information systems, and an overall more appealing station appearance will help make the route fit for the future. 

A key benefit of the overhaul on the Hamburg – Berlin line will be the reduction of infrastructure-related disruptions to train operations. This will result in fewer delays for passengers and increased reliability of rail services. Additional crossovers will enhance operational flexibility, making it significantly easier to plan and operate train services in the event of disruptions. 

Preliminary work already underway since 2024

Even before the actual general overhaul, initial maintenance measures were carried out to ensure traffic safety and prepare the infrastructure. Between August 16 and December 14, 2024, for example, 100 switches, three culverts, and a total of 74 kilometers of track were renewed. A portion of the so-called slab track was also replaced. 

As part of these efforts, DB E&C played a key role in the project, providing support through design services as well as environmental and geoservices. Specifically, this included surveys using multicopter drone flights or the 360° multisensor platform to document sections of the route and transport stations and ensure seamless design. 

Currently, work is focused on developing the detailed construction designs for sections in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. Since various protected resources and conservation areas lie along the route, DB E&C’s design team is working closely with specialized environmental planners to assess the environmental impact of all technical measures and ensure full compliance with environmental regulations and legal requirements.