Copyright | DB AG / Volker Emersleben
278-km route reopened for rail traffic; replacement bus service ended • DB InfraGO CEO Philipp Nagl: “The largest of the corridor renovations planned through 2036 is complete.” • Delays still possible during the initial ramp-up phase
Berlin, June 14, 2026
DB InfraGO has completed the corridor renovation on Germany’s most important intercity rail link between Hamburg and Berlin. Following the earlier reopening of the section between Hamburg and Hagenow Land on May 15, long-distance, regional, and freight trains are now running along the entire 278-kilometer route once again.
Acceptance runs will still take place on certain sections of the line over the coming days. Until these are fully concluded, speed restrictions will remain necessary on specific sections for long-distance trains; these may also affect regional services to some extent. Adjusted timetables and delay forecasts are available via the bahn.de website and the DB Navigator app. Additional service staff are on duty at the Hamburg and Berlin stations to assist travellers. Furthermore, specialist teams are deployed along the route to resolve any isolated issues that may arise during the initial weeks as quickly as possible.
A total of 470 long-distance, regional, and freight train journeys take place daily between Hamburg and Berlin and the various regions connected by this rail corridor.
Since August 1, 2025, around 1,000 employees from DB and construction companies have been renewing the aging and fault-prone infrastructure. DB and its construction partners have jointly executed a massive construction program:
165 kilometers of new track
249 new switches
Seven new crossover points (for greater flexibility in train operations)
Just under five kilometres of noise barriers in the Wohltorf/Aumühle area completely refurbished
Six new signal boxes built, 19 signal boxes modernized
28 modernized stations offering greater comfort and accessibility
The technical systems and signal boxes are now prepared for the European Train Control System (ETCS). The entire line has also been upgraded for future 5G railway radio (FRMCS) and enables the installation of additional mobile network equipment for better mobile reception. In the long term, passengers and freight customers will benefit from a modern, reliable line and several years free of major construction work.
Dr. Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO: “With the Hamburg–Berlin line, we have now completed the largest corridor refurbishment project within the program scheduled to run until 2036. Such comprehensive refurbishment measures are only possible thanks to the federal government’s special fund. My sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed to this challenging task: the employees, construction companies, transport authorities, and transport operators. Today, I would like to personally thank all passengers, local residents, and municipalities for their patience and understanding during the construction work—which was extended due to the harsh winter—and the subsequent resumption of services.”
Extensive construction program for stations, too
DB InfraGO has also modernized the 28 stations along the route, thereby improving the experience for travellers at the station and in the surrounding area. To achieve this, DB extended and raised platforms, lengthened canopies, and installed wayfinding systems for the visually impaired. Many stations received redesigned pedestrian underpasses, additional seating and waiting areas, improved bicycle parking, and regional design concepts. A standout example is the station in Wittenberge, Brandenburg, where a collaborative effort with the city successfully renovated both the station and its surroundings to an exemplary standard.
Finishing work is still underway at some stations. Consequently, barrier-free access to platforms at the Müssen, Nauen, Falkensee, and Albrechtshof stations is currently unavailable or restricted. A replacement service plan is in place for travellers with limited mobility.
Positive assessment of the transport concept
As construction concludes, DB reports a positive outcome regarding the transport concept for travellers. Long-distance trains and select regional trains operated reliably on diversion routes over the past few months. For regional transport, an extensive replacement service involving 170 modern buses was launched in cooperation with the federal states; since mid-August 2025, these buses have covered approximately 25 million kilometres.
Next milestones for the high-performance network
Following the Hamburg–Berlin project, additional key railway lines will become available again this summer after undergoing renovation. In about a month, DB InfraGO will complete the corridor renovation of two more high-traffic sections (Hagen–Wuppertal–Cologne and Nuremberg–Regensburg). By then, around 580 kilometres of the future high-performance network will have undergone fundamental modernization. The work continues without interruption: construction for the corridor renovation between Obertraubling and Passau begins today. Work along the line on the right bank of the Rhine between Troisdorf and Wiesbaden begins in mid-July.