Deutsche Bahn expects the major corridor renovation of the important railway line between Berlin and Hannover to bring “more quality, reliability and stability” to the route. “This is a huge task, but an investment that will pay off,” said Wolfgang Weinhold, programme manager for corridor renovations at DB InfraGO. The more than 220-kilometre route will be completely closed from Friday for extensive construction work, with the closure expected to last until December 2027.
According to Deutsche Bahn, the section is part of the “most important connection between Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.” More than 400 regional and long-distance trains, along with around 90 freight trains, use the route every day. As part of the corridor renovation, more than 214 points, around 357 kilometres of track, 100 kilometres of overhead lines and 13 kilometres of noise barriers will be replaced or newly built. The project also includes the modernisation of 25 railway stations.
According to Deutsche Bahn, the “most complex and time-consuming” part of the project will be the renewal of the so-called slab track on the high-speed line. “Unlike conventional track construction, which consists of ballast, sleepers and rails, the rails on slab track are mounted on prefabricated concrete slabs,” the company explained.
Along a 52-kilometre section east and west of Stendal, the existing concrete slabs will have to be removed and 16,000 new ones installed. Each slab is 6.5 metres long and weighs ten tonnes.
The 14-month construction project will cause significant disruptions for passengers. Scheduled journey times between Hannover and Berlin, and therefore also for journeys between North Rhine-Westphalia and the capital — will increase by around 80 minutes. In regional transport, numerous services will be cancelled on certain sections and during specific phases of the construction work. Replacement bus services will be provided.
In June, Deutsche Bahn had presented a renovation plan intended to significantly reduce the impact on long-distance passengers. Between December 2026 and October 2027, trains were supposed to use the parallel Lehrter Stammbahn line in at least one direction, allowing them to avoid most of the additional travel time.
However, the electrification of this parallel route was delayed. As a result, all long-distance services will now have to be diverted via Braunschweig and Magdeburg throughout the construction period.
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