Photo Credit: Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang
Construction teams are combining all work on the line and stations • Long-distance and freight trains are running on diversion routes • Comprehensive replacement service for regional passengers with buses on 28 routes
Berlin, 1 August 2025
Deutsche Bahn (DB) is beginning a comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the line between Hamburg and Berlin. Dr Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO, and Ulrich Lange, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, will give the official go-ahead this morning in Ludwigslust at one of around 130 construction sites. In the evening, the construction team will switch off the overhead lines on the route and the nine-month construction phase will begin. Long-distance and freight trains will run on diversion routes until 30 April next year. More than 170 buses will be used to replace local train services that cannot be offered during the construction phase.
Dr Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO: “New tracks and points, modern signalling and interlocking technology, and more attractive stations: we are making Germany’s most important direct city connection an anchor of stability for reliable rail transport. Following the successful general renovation of the Riedbahn, the Hamburg–Berlin line is now next in line. With our concept of bundled renewal and modernisation, we are making an important contribution to the S3 renovation programme, which will gradually bring the railway back on track. We are aware that we are asking passengers and businesses to be very patient. But I am convinced that this major effort will pay off for everyone.”
Ulrich Lange, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport: “Following the Riedbahn pilot project, the renovation of the Hamburg–Berlin line will serve as a yardstick for the corridor renovation concept. Despite the necessity of renovating the network, we must never forget who we are doing this for: the complete closure places a heavy burden on commuters and freight transport customers alike. Expectations for functioning replacement or diversion services and, subsequently, the greatest possible freedom to carry out construction work are therefore rightly high. I am firmly convinced that we can only successfully complete the enormous amount of construction work in the coming years and improve the rail network as a whole if the renovations do not come at the expense of the regional network and we do not leave the people in the affected regions out in the cold. We will therefore work closely with the industry and the affected regions to adapt the concept once again in order to meet the mobility needs of the economy and the population even during the construction phases.”
Ute Bonde, Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment for the State of Berlin: “The Berlin–Hamburg railway line is one of the most important lines in Germany, both for long-distance transport and as a key commuter route in the city and surrounding area. Together with the VBB and the State of Brandenburg, we have worked intensively on the design of the replacement transport concept in the capital region. For example, by connecting the replacement buses to the Lehrter Bahn, additional buses on Berlin’s already heavily congested roads can be dispensed with, which should result in travel time savings. Of course, the nine-month total closure of the 278 km long line will still impose significant restrictions on passengers. All the more reason for me to expect that, after the general renovation, significantly more stable operations with fewer delays will become a reality.”
Detlef Tabbert, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Planning for the State of Brandenburg: “The complete renovation of the Hamburg–Berlin line is a major infrastructure project for the whole country. As the Ministry for Infrastructure and Regional Planning in Brandenburg, we’re all for the goal of improving the operational quality and reliability of this key rail link. Intensive planning and close coordination with all the states and stakeholders involved were an important step in advance to minimise the impact of the project. Against this background, I am particularly grateful that a few days ago we jointly succeeded in establishing a connection between the Wittenberg area and Berlin via Stendal with an additional bus line, thereby somewhat cushioning the impact on commuters. The task now is to closely monitor the operation of the rail replacement service in the region as a whole and make adjustments where necessary.”
Ines Jesse, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labor of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: “The general renovation is a federal measure to modernize the rail infrastructure. The investment in infrastructure is necessary – but the impact of the construction measures on people and our economy must always remain a focus. The general renovation requires reliable concepts, the best possible coordination, and a schedule that is adhered to: The restrictions for commuters and all other travelers must be kept as minimal as possible. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is committed to this – and the federal government must live up to its responsibility in this regard.”
Susanne Henckel, State Secretary for Transport and Labor in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Labor, Technology and Tourism of the State of Schleswig-Holstein: “The renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin corridor is a key step towards improving the quality and reliability of rail transport and making rail future-proof – for the benefit of our passengers, our economy, and our climate goals. Therefore, in our view, it is crucial for the success of the project that all planned improvements are now consistently implemented and that the replacement service is reliably organized and communicated at the same time.”
Martin Bill, State Councilor of the Hamburg Authority for Transport and Mobility Transition: “The Hamburg-Berlin rail connection is a true success story! It’s hard to imagine today that there used to be scheduled flights between the two cities. The complete renovation is a necessary effort for an efficient and future-proof rail network. We have deliberately rethought the concept of rail replacement services – with fast connections to the subway and commuter rail system, not only at the main station, but also at the state border, for example in Wandsbek and near Glinde. This way, we get the maximum possible benefit for travelers.”
Extensive Construction Work on Infrastructure and Stations
The railway line between Hamburg and Berlin is 278 kilometers long, roughly four times the length of the Riedbahn line between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim, which DB was the first to renew and modernize in a single corridor last year. With around 470 regional, long-distance, and freight trains daily, the Hamburg–Berlin line is considered a heavily used route.
During the nine-month construction period, Deutsche Bahn’s public-benefit infrastructure company, DB InfraGO, is renewing a total of more than 165 kilometers of track and almost 250 switches. In addition, the slab track in the sections between Wittenberge and Dergenthin and between Breddin and Glöwen will be replaced with a ballasted track. Six new interchange points will create greater stability and flexibility in operations, as faster passenger trains will be able to overtake slower freight trains. DB is also renewing the control and signaling technology, building six new, modern interlocking stations, and modernizing 19 others. This will prepare interlocking and axle counting technology for the future use of the European Train Control System (ETCS). In the Wohltorf/Aumühle area, nearly five kilometers of noise barriers will also be renovated and redesigned in close cooperation with the affected municipalities.
Twenty-eight stations along the route will be modernized and made more attractive for commuters. Depending on the station, the plans include platform extensions, raised platforms for step-free boarding, longer platform roofs, and wayfinding systems for people with visual impairments. Twenty of the 28 stations will be comprehensively developed into future-oriented stations, featuring redesigned pedestrian underpasses, consistent design concepts, more seating and waiting areas, and improved bicycle parking.
DB InfraGO is also using the construction phase to erect radio masts for the future FRMCS (Future Rail Mobile Communication System). The masts will also be made accessible to public mobile network operators to enable long-term mobile communications with gigabit data rates on board trains.
Twenty-eight stations along the route will be modernized and made more attractive for commuters. Depending on the station, the plans include platform extensions, raised platforms for step-free boarding, longer platform roofs, and wayfinding systems for people with visual impairments. Twenty of the 28 stations will be comprehensively developed into future-oriented stations, featuring redesigned pedestrian underpasses, consistent design concepts, more seating and waiting areas, and improved bicycle parking.
DB InfraGO is also using the construction phase to erect radio masts for the future FRMCS (Future Rail Mobile Communication System). The masts will also be made accessible to public mobile network operators to enable long-term mobile communications with gigabit data rates on board trains.
As with previous construction projects, direct trains will travel via Uelzen and Stendal. The journey time between Hamburg and Berlin will be increased by approximately 45 minutes. Long-distance trains will also stop in Salzwedel and Stendal, and usually alternate hourly in Lüneburg and Uelzen. Direct replacement buses (IC buses) will run between Wittenberge and Ludwigslust and Hamburg at the start of the general renovation. To replace local train services that cannot be operated due to the construction work, over 170 buses will be deployed during peak times along the entire Hamburg-Berlin route. These will operate on a total of 28 routes, covering up to 86,000 kilometers daily. The local routes have been rescheduled in collaboration with the responsible authorities and transport companies, for example, to continue offering direct services between Schwerin and Berlin (RE 85) or trains with higher seating capacity, such as between Lübeck and Bad Kleinen (RE 2).
Freight trains between Hamburg and Berlin will also be partially diverted via Uelzen and Stendal. However, diversions via Rotenburg (Wümme) and Verden (Aller) are also planned. These will then be routed via Hanover and Magdeburg towards Berlin. Freight trains from Rostock can be routed via Neustrelitz towards Berlin. Accessibility to German seaports for freight transport by rail is thus guaranteed even during the construction work. Individual solutions have been developed for the affected companies with sidings.
The general renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin line is a central component of the S3 renovation program, with which Deutsche Bahn is driving forward the renovation of the infrastructure, operations, and profitability over the next three years in order to substantially improve the quality of the railway in Germany. Deutsche Bahn successfully completed the first general renovation of the Riedbahn, the line between Frankfurt and Mannheim, in December 2024. Since then, infrastructure-related disruptions there have decreased by more than 60 percent compared to the previous year. Punctuality in regional and long-distance transport improved noticeably.