The projects comprise 22 line upgrading schemes, six projects to relieve congestion at major junctions, measures to allow the introduction of 740m-long freight trains, and initiatives associated with the introduction of a national regular-interval timetable.
“We are putting additional rail projects on the track, which will be a real win for the entire rail network and the regions,” Scheuer says. “With them we eliminate bottlenecks, create more capacity and provide the infrastructure for the German regular-interval timetable. Our goals are: shorter travel times and better connections, also in the metropolitan areas. We are taking another giant step towards more punctual and reliable rail and the wow effect on rail.”
“The expansion of the nodes is the key to a powerful rail network,” says Mr Enak Ferlemann, federal rail transport commissioner. “This benefits both long-distance and freight traffic and regional traffic alike. Attractive rail traffic in the metropolitan regions not least improves air quality and is thus a sustainable investment in the future. The planning of the projects must start now in a timely manner.”
The following line upgrading projects have given the highest priority:
Munich - Mühldorf - Freilassing
Nurnemberg - Erfurt
Nurnemberg - Schwandorf/Munich - Regensburg - Furth-im-Wald - Czech border
Dutch border - Kaldenkirchen - Viersen - Rheydt-Odenkirchen
Augsburg - Donauwörth
Gotha - Leinefelde
Stuttgart - Backnang/Schwäbisch Gmünd - Aalen - Nurnemberg
Kehl - Appenweier
Landshut - Plattling
Lübeck - Schwerin
Weimar - Gera - Gößnitz
Regensburg - Mühldorf
Niebüll - Klanxbüll
Studernheimer curve (Ludwigshafen)
Hamburg - Ahrensburg
Dresden - Prague
Lehrte/Hameln - Braunschweig - Magdeburg - Roßlau
Cuxhaven - Stade
Münster - Lünen
Leipzig - Chemnitz
Wilster - Brunsbüttel, and
Berlin - Angermünde - Pasewalk - Stralsund.
In addition, lines in the Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne, Mannheim and Munich areas will be upgraded to eliminate bottlenecks on the network. The Cologne - Aachen line will also be upgraded in connection with the national regular-interval timetable project.
For more detailed information on rail projects around the world, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
