The new 60km/h, 5.5km twin-bore tunnel is estimated to cost €3bn and have three intermediate stations: one near Hamburg Dammtor with connections to the planned U5 metro line, another at Schlump with direct connections to two U-Bahn lines and a third at Doormannsweg north of Holstenstrasse S-Bahn station.

The earliest possible opening date for the new tunnel, which would be largely funded by the federal government, is 2035.

The new tunnel is proposed to both increase S-Bahn capacity and create two extra mainline tracks through the north of Hamburg as the existing Main Station - Dammtor - Holstenstrasse S-Bahn line would be converted to 15kV ac main line standards.

This section of line is equipped with two main line tracks and two 1.2kV dc third rail electrified S-Bahn tracks and is one of the most significant bottlenecks on the German network. The section is frequently at capacity, preventing more services operating across the city resulting in most regional services from the northwest terminating at Altona, 4km from the city centre.

Under the plans, S-Bahn stations at Sternschanze and Holstenstrasse would be closed and partially replaced by new stations on the new line. The new line would also serve both the existing S-Bahn connections from Holstenstrasse towards Altona and have provision for connections to the planned new S32 route from Holstenstrasse west to Lurup and Osdorfer Born.

The proposed route for the new 5.5km tunnel. Image: BMVI

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