Commuters traveling between Hamburg and Berlin are facing a significant disruption starting this evening, with train travel times extended by at least 45 minutes for the next nine months. This is due to the second “general renovation” of the crucial rail line, which involves a complete closure of approximately 280 kilometers of tracks. This closure is four times the length of the Riedbahn section between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim, which underwent similar overhauls last year.
Tracks and Switches Undergoing Major Overhaul
The extensive work is focused on the superstructure, encompassing tracks and switches, as well as signal box technology. Julian Fassing, a construction manager for the project, explained that up to 1,000 daily workers are involved in either new construction or renewal efforts. While crucial system components are being addressed, the complete digitization of the route with the ETCS system is not part of this specific renovation phase. Interestingly, new switches and alternative points for trains appear to have been scaled back compared to earlier plans.
Criticism Over Extended Closures
The prolonged nine-month closure has drawn criticism. Dirk Flege, managing director of the advocacy group Pro Schiene, expressed a lack of understanding. He suggested that with reduced construction scope, the closure period should also be shorter, stating, “I am still waiting for a plausible explanation.” This sentiment is likely shared by many residents in the affected five federal states, where regional transport will rely on buses, potentially tripling travel times.
Politicians Question the Approach
The effectiveness and necessity of the current “general renovation” concept are being questioned, even by the new Federal Minister of Transport. He commented, “We don’t overwhelm people? Can you do it a little differently in other renovations, can you do it better?” Despite these questions, the minister affirmed, “But basically we stand to this construct. We want to implement it, even in the period we had planned.”
Limited Construction Capacity a Hurdle
It’s already apparent that the ambitious goal of overhauling more than 40 key rail lines by 2030 is unlikely to be met. A major constraint is the limited capacity of the construction industry. The railway is now proposing 2036 as a revised target date, a shift from previous political promises.
Federal Transport Minister Schnieder plans to discuss the path forward with the railway. “We will see how we get it together. Where do we have points where we say: we have to change something? And then an overall concept becomes,” he stated.
Motivation for a Massive Undertaking
With over 100 billion euros earmarked for investment in the railway system by 2029, the Federal Audit Office has cautioned that simply allocating more funds isn’t enough. They’ve long urged for greater control and clearer objectives from the federal government, as the owner of the railway. Minister Schnieder has announced a strategy for late summer to address this.
Meanwhile, construction manager Julian Fassing will be on site for the massive Berlin-Hamburg project, aiming to keep his team motivated. His approach? “As many as possible, I say, infect with the thought: we can do it. And no matter what problems come, we solve them together. And then we can do it.”
