Deutsche Bahn (DB) has reached an important milestone for the general renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin route planned for August 1, 2025. Following a Europe-wide tendering process, the first construction contracts for the nine-month major project have now been awarded.
The companies SPITZKE SE, Leonhard Weiss GmbH und Co. KG, STRABAG SE and the group subsidiary DB Bahnbau Gruppe were awarded the contract. DB will thus continue the general renovation of the heavily used rail network as planned next year. The route between the two largest German metropolises is 278 kilometers long and is considered one of the most important direct city connections. Around 30,000 travelers travel here every day.
The general renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin route contributes to the structural renovation and modernization of the core network. A total of 40 corridors are to be completely renovated and their condition improved by the end of 2030. The pilot project is the Riedbahn between Frankfurt/Main and Mannheim, which has been undergoing renovation and modernization since July 15, 2024. With the general renovations, DB is creating a stable basis in the infrastructure for the further growth path of the Strong Rail Group strategy and is making its contribution to the federal government’s transport and climate policy goals.
Hamburg–Berlin, four times as long as the Riedbahn
The construction work on the Hamburg-Berlin railway line is demanding. At almost 280 km, it is about four times as long as the Riedbahn. As part of the general renovation, DB is renewing more than 180 kilometers of tracks and around 200 switches. Six additional so-called transfer points will create more stability and flexibility in operations and ensure that, for example, faster passenger trains can overtake slower freight trains.
In a first step, DB is equipping the routes with the highest capacity around the metropolitan regions, ie between Hamburg-Rothenburgsort and Büchen and the section between Nauen and Berlin-Spandau, with the new European train control system ETCS (European Train Control System).
In coordination with the federal government and in view of the current market situation, the equipment of the section of the line between Büchen and Nauen is planned for 2030/31, also in order to avoid the more expensive double equipment with analogue and digital signalling technology, which is not justified on this section of the line.
More attractive train stations
To improve the customer experience, DB is upgrading a total of 28 train stations in five federal states during the general renovation by the end of April 2026. Depending on the station, new toilet facilities and weather shelters, more accessibility and improved wayfinding systems are planned. In addition, the important connection to the innovation route for mobile communications is to be expanded with gigabit data rates on the train so that travelers can make calls and surf the internet between Hamburg and Berlin in the best quality in the future.
DB is therefore using the general renovation to build radio masts for the future railway radio FRMCS (Future Rail Mobile Communication System). After the renovation, DB will make the masts and supply containers as well as the power and data lines available to the mobile phone companies for technology-neutral testing and illumination of the route with mobile communications for passengers.
During the work from August 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026, passengers and goods will reach their destination reliably. In long-distance traffic between Hamburg and Berlin, DB is using diversion routes via Stendal and Uelzen with a replacement stop in Salzwedel and additionally with a change in Hanover, a concept that has already proven itself in previous closures on the Hamburg-Berlin corridor.
Depending on the diversion route, the travel time will be extended by at least 45 minutes. There will be comprehensive and high-quality replacement bus services for passengers on regional services and to connect the long-distance stops that have been eliminated in Ludwigslust, Wittenberge and Büchen.
The lines will be consolidated as they approach the metropolitan areas of Hamburg and Berlin. DB is thus transferring the concept that is currently also used in replacement services on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt/Main and Mannheim. Freight trains will travel on diversion routes. Individual solutions have been developed for companies with a rail connection. The hinterland connection of the North German ports is also still secured. DB will provide information on the details of the transport concept at the beginning of next year.
The construction work for the section between Hamburg and Büchen is expected to be awarded in April 2025. This will have no impact on the timetable for the general renovation. After completion of the nine-month construction phase, travelers and freight transport companies along the entire corridor will benefit from more efficient infrastructure, more attractive stations and five years without major construction sites.
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