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Major construction work: General renovation of the railway between Berlin and Hamburg begins!
General renovation of the Berlin-Hamburg railway line begins on August 1, 2025. Comprehensive work is planned until April 2026.
Major construction work: General renovation of the railway between Berlin and Hamburg begins!
From August 1, 2025, Deutsche Bahn will begin the general renovation of the railway line between Berlin and Hamburg. This major project is the second of a total of 41 planned renovations along the rail network, which stretches over 280 kilometers and runs through five federal states. The extensive work includes the renewal of stations, tracks, switches and overhead lines as well as the modernization of the control and safety technology. The renovation will last until the end of April 2026, during which time the route will be completely closed. A full rail replacement service will be available from the start of construction, as [Schwäbische.de](https://www.schwaebische.de/wirtschaft/bahn-sicht-sich-bei-sanierung-berlin-hamburg-gut-vor Preparet-3761388) reports.
Karsten Erhardt, Head of Infrastructure Projects East at DB InfraGo, confirms the availability of drivers and vehicles for replacement traffic. However, commuters must expect longer journey times. For example, the travel time from Wittenberge to Berlin increases from 1.5 hours to 3.5 hours and from Perleberg to Berlin from just under 2 hours to 3 hours. Long-distance traffic will be rerouted via Stendal and Uelzen during the construction work, with many regional trains and local transport connections being canceled.
Extensive measures
The final construction contract for the section between Hamburg-Rothenburgsort and Büchen is also pending. Various companies such as Rhomberg Sersa Rail Holding GmbH and Eurovia GmbH are entrusted with extensive work on tracks, switches, sleepers as well as control and safety technology. Construction projects are also planned for three new signal boxes in Aumühle, Schwarzenbek and Büchen. The modernization and barrier-free expansion of train stations in Hamburg-Bergedorf, Schwarzenbek, Müssen and Büchen are also part of the overall plan developed by Deutsche Railway.
In order to ensure the quality of the routes and improve the infrastructure, Deutsche Bahn is planning numerous renovation and modernization measures at train stations during the closures. The aim is to optimize the infrastructure for both travelers and freight transport companies, as highlighted on db-engineering-consulting.com.
The challenges
The general renovation of the Berlin-Hamburg route is considered a test as it poses challenges not only due to its length but also due to the difficult diversion options. Project manager Julian Fassing emphasizes the challenge of completing the large amount of work within the given time frame. In addition, the shutdown of 280 kilometers of overhead lines is currently being examined, which will have an additional impact on the construction process. The excavators are expected to arrive within the first seven days of construction to begin the track work, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The impact on travelers and freight transport companies should be minimized through coordinated planning and exchange with the federal government, authorities and associations. This general renovation is part of a comprehensive program that will cover more than 40 route sections by 2030 in order to sustainably improve the rail infrastructure.