Major Rail Disruptions in Hamburg Due to Sternbrücke Construction
Hamburg, July 19 – Extensive disruptions to rail services and road traffic are expected in Hamburg over the coming weeks due to the ongoing construction of the new Sternbrücke and two other bridges between Altona and Sternschanze. This project, which involves the installation of new bridge structures, will lead to partial cancellations and re-routing of long-distance and regional trains, as well as significant changes to S-Bahn operations. The central Stresemannstraße/Max-Brauer-Allee intersection is also closed to vehicular traffic.
S-Bahn Services Affected Until August 30
Between the Sternschanze and Altona stations, S-Bahn services will be suspended until August 30 (end of service). S-Bahn Hamburg has announced the implementation of a replacement bus service during this period. The S5 line (Elbgaustraße/Stade) will be diverted between Altona and the main station via the City-Tunnel. This means the S5 will run from Altona via Landungsbrücken and Jungfernstieg to Hauptbahnhof, instead of its usual route via Sternschanze and Dammtor. The S1 line will continue to operate on its regular route. All changes to the timetable are available through the HVV journey planner.
Extended Road Closure and Traffic Management
The original closure period for the rail lines, initially planned until August 14, has been extended due to delays in the construction work on the Sternbrücke. In addition to rail disruptions, road traffic in Hamburg is also significantly affected. The central intersection of Stresemannstraße/Max-Brauer-Allee is closed until September 2. To prevent vehicles from using alternative routes through the Schanzenviertel, barriers have been installed, which have, however, led to some traffic issues.
Restrictions for Long-Distance Travelers
Long-distance trains will not be serving the Hamburg-Dammtor and Hamburg-Altona stations until August 15. At Hamburg Central Station, numerous services are canceled or diverted. Travelers are advised to consider using alternative stations such as Pinneberg, Bergedorf, or Harburg. Further restrictions are anticipated until August 31 (4:00 AM), though specific details have not yet been provided by Deutsche Bahn.
- Trains to and from Denmark will start at the main station or, alternatively, in Harburg.
- Trains to and from Munich via Berlin will run hourly and stop at the main station; stops at Dammtor and Altona will be omitted.
- Trains to and from Rostock/Binz will only stop in Bergedorf.
- Trains to and from Westerland/Sylt will not go to the main station but will be routed via Harburg. From July 19 to 22, these trains will be canceled due to construction work in Elmshorn.
- Trains to and from Bremen, Osnabrück, Münster, and Cologne will depart hourly from the main station, with some connections only from Harburg.
- Trains to and from Southern Germany via Hanover and Frankfurt will only run hourly from the main station.
- Trains to and from Munich via Hanover, Kassel, Würzburg, and Fulda will only run every two hours from Harburg. Dammtor and the main station will not be served. Approximately one-third of previous connections will now start from Hanover.
Impact on Schleswig-Holstein
In Schleswig-Holstein, the construction work particularly affects the Kiel and Neumünster stations. Until August 15, only two out of eight train pairs will operate between Kiel and Hamburg. Stops at Itzehoe, Heide, Husum, Niebüll, and Westerland will also be omitted. Regional trains to Kiel will start from Pinneberg.
Deutsche Bahn advises all passengers to check individual journey details using the DB Navigator app or on bahn.de before departure.
New Altona Station at Diebsteich by 2029
During the current closure, crucial work for the relocation of Altona station will also be carried out. The new long-distance station Altona is being constructed approximately two kilometers north, at the S-Bahn station Diebsteich, and is expected to become operational by the end of 2029.
Source: NDR.de, Deutsche Bahn, HVV
