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The existing railway line between Hamburg and Hannover is slated for extensive modernization, with all measures to be implemented by 2034 at the latest. This initiative, estimated to cost 250 million Euros, aims to bring rapid improvements to the heavily congested route, according to a decision made by the Bundestag on Thursday evening.
Comprehensive Upgrade Package Approved
The German Bundestag has given its broad approval to a comprehensive package that includes both the planned new rail line and significant enhancements to the existing Hamburg-Hannover route. These upgrades are designed to provide immediate relief and long-term benefits for a line currently operating at 147% capacity.
Marlene Leinkauf reports that these additional measures complement the general renovation scheduled for 2029. Due to time constraints, they could not be integrated into the 2029 project and will therefore be planned and executed promptly thereafter. The federal government will finance the entire 250 million Euro project.
Enhanced Noise Protection for Local Communities
A key component of the upgrade involves the construction of over eight kilometers of noise barriers in heavily affected sections along the existing line. These include:
- Unterlüß (Celle district)
- Suderburg (Uelzen district)
- Klein Bünstorf (Uelzen district)
- Bad Bevensen (Uelzen district)
- Bienenbüttel (Uelzen district)
- Deutsch Evern (Lüneburg district)
- Lüneburg (Lüneburg district)
These measures aim to significantly reduce noise pollution for residents living near the railway.
Increased Flexibility with More Switches and Crossovers
To facilitate more flexible track changes and reduce disruptions, the Transport Committee has mandated the installation of additional crossovers. These will be strategically placed in areas such as Großburgwedel (Hannover region) and Radbruch (Lüneburg district). These new switches are expected to minimize train cancellations, especially during construction work or in the event of operational disturbances.
Third Track Between Lüneburg and Uelzen Still a Possibility
While the Bundestag initially rejected a third track between Lüneburg and Uelzen as part of the optimized Alpha-E concept, the decision is not final. The Transport Committee argued that a third track would not resolve the bottleneck on the route and would not support the Deutschlandtakt (Germany-wide synchronized timetable). However, future construction measures will be designed to accommodate a potential three-track expansion, leaving the door open for this development.
Capacity Expansion and Retention of Long-Distance Services
To address the severe overcrowding, several measures will be implemented to increase the line’s capacity:
- Improved track arrangement at Winsen station (Harburg district).
- Faster track changes for trains at Stelle station (Harburg district).
- Reinstallation of switches at Maschen marshalling yard for greater flexibility.
Crucially, the Transport Committee has confirmed that existing long-distance service stops along the route will be maintained, ensuring continued connectivity for passengers.
Digital ETCS System for Tighter Train Intervals
To future-proof the line, DB InfraGO is tasked with integrating the European Train Control System (ETCS) during the 2029 general renovation. This digital system will replace traditional light signals, enabling trains to run at closer intervals and increasing overall line capacity. This directive also provides planning certainty for railway companies to equip their trains with ETCS.
Upgrading Hamburg and Hannover Stations
The stations in Hamburg and Hannover are recognized as critical bottlenecks. Planned construction measures at these hubs will be prioritized to increase their capacity, ensuring they can handle the anticipated increase in train traffic. Specifically, the planned crossing and flyover structures in Meckelfeld (Harburg district) and Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg will be designed and implemented for completion concurrently with the new line’s commissioning.
General Renovation in 2029: A Six-Month Closure
The general renovation of the line in 2029 will require a six-month closure for extensive construction work. Key improvements planned for this period include:
- Dual tracks at the north end and on the west side in Lüneburg.
- Reactivation of track 141 in Lüneburg.
- Three tracks for the Altenbrückertorstraße railway bridge (Lüneburg).
- Extension of the sidings.
- A passing loop in Bienenbüttel.
- A crossover in Lüneburg West, including a new platform.
- A new platform at track 105 in Uelzen.
- A crossover in Emmendorf.
- New switches in Bardowick.
- Electrification of switches in Uelzen.
- A crossover in Lüneburg, including a platform extension.
DB InfraGO will also re-evaluate further operational improvements at Lüneburg station. A railway spokesperson confirmed these plans, stating, “This is the overall package that we have discussed with the region and the federal government. A large part should be completed in 2029, the remaining work, if necessary, then subsequently.”
Mixed Reactions to the Measures
While the funding commitment is welcomed, not all stakeholders believe the measures go far enough. Grant Hendrik Tonne (SPD), Lower Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs, expressed his view that the improvements on the existing line are insufficient to achieve the necessary overall increase in capacity. “These are not the improvements we need to implement more possibilities on the existing route,” he told NDR.
Cornell Babendererde, a CDU Bundestag member from the Harburg district, praised the federal government’s commitment to financing and implementing the measures within a defined timeframe, stating, “The tough negotiations have paid off.” However, she expressed regret over the initial rejection of the third track between Lüneburg and Uelzen, vowing to continue advocating for it.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/lueneburg_heide_unterelbe/instandsetzung-der-bahnstrecke-hamburg-hannover-das-sind-die-plaene,bestandsstrecke-100.html
