Construction tension persists for 2.5 kilometers on the Berlin-Hamburg railway line, lasting four months
The Deutsche Bahn is currently in the midst of a comprehensive renovation of the high-performance corridor between Hamburg and Berlin, with a focus on replacing and repairing parts of the railway. As part of this project, a 2.5-kilometer stretch of "fixed track" between Wittenberge and Dergenthin is being replaced with a gravel track structure.
This "fixed track", installed in 1993, has become technologically outdated. The rails on this stretch are set in a concrete bed or placed on a concrete slab, which has proven to be too maintenance-intensive. The removal of the cement bed and the concrete slabs is a costly process, but necessary for the renovation.
Once the concrete parts are removed, the ground is prepared up to two meters below the rail surface. The slabs must be cut into six-meter-long sections for removal. After the ground preparation, a protective layer is applied, and then the ground is rebuilt. A geotextile is laid under the stabilized ground as part of the track replacement process.
New sleepers and tracks are then laid, and ballast is added for stability. The crawler excavator used in this work is so wide that single-track traffic is not possible. This means that the exchange of tracks can only be done under full closure of the track, which began on August 1, 2021, and is scheduled to end in April 2026.
The railway aims to complete the renovation of the 280-kilometer high-performance corridor between Hamburg and Berlin by April 30th of next year. This includes the replacement of 165 kilometers of track and the repair of 61 kilometers. Additionally, 249 switches will be installed, and the overhead line will be replaced or renewed on certain sections of the track.
During the renovation, the overhead lines, signals, and cable channels have been partially dismantled. Overhead lines and signals will be restored in the final step. The construction work is currently on schedule.
The "fixed track" will remain in the Glowen area where it is still deemed technologically up-to-date. The Deutsche Bahn is carrying out this renovation to improve the efficiency and maintenance of the railway system. The project is a significant step towards modernizing the railway infrastructure in Germany.
Read also:
- International powers, including France, Germany, and the UK, advocate for the reinstatement of sanctions against Iran.
- Companies urged to combat employee resignation crisis, as per findings from the Addeco Group
- Republicans advocate Trump's domestic policy plans in Iowa, though some business owners remain skeptic
- Procedure for Granting the Contract Has Been Instigated by the Commission
