Germany railway infrastructure: Major closures and new projects

Germany is undergoing significant railway infrastructure changes, marked by both major closures and new projects. The Deutsche Bahn has begun a massive 14-month renovation of the critical Berlin-Hannover corridor. Starting October 2, 2026, the high-speed line will be fully closed, forcing long-distance trains to detour via Braunschweig and Magdeburg, adding approximately 80 minutes to travel times. This delay is partly due to slower-than-expected electrification of the parallel Lehrter Stammbahn.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, the rail connection between Cologne and Wuppertal is returning to regular service following an eight-month closure. While repairs to a damaged bridge over the Wupper have allowed trains to run, they must still operate at reduced speeds, causing minor delays.

Additionally, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have agreed to move forward with plans to reactivate the Bergedorf-Geesthacht rail line. The project, which involves AKN, aims to restore passenger service to Geesthacht after 70 years, with initial cost estimates around 177 million euros.