Significant Railway Modernization to Transform Northern Saxony-Anhalt - Northern Saxony-Anhalt experiencing significant changes due to extensive railway renovation
The Berlin-Hamburg railway line is set for a comprehensive renovation starting on August 1, 2025. This nine-month project will affect approximately 180-280 kilometers of track and three main sections: Hamburg–Büchen, Büchen–Dergenthin, and Dergenthin–Berlin. The works will continue until April 30, 2026.
Key components of the plan include:
- Track reconstruction: More than 180 kilometers of track and around 200 switches (turnouts) will be replaced.
- Station and traffic control upgrades: Twenty-eight traffic control centers and stations along the corridor will be modernized with new signal boxes and interlocking (signaling) technology. Six new grade-separated junctions (transfer points) will be installed to improve operational flexibility.
- Signaling system modernization: The signaling and control systems will undergo a complete overhaul and modernization, including new interlocking technology, across the line and affecting surrounding branch lines.
Adjacent branch lines, such as Mölln – Büchen – Lauenburg (Elbe), Hagenow Stadt – Hagenow Land – Schwerin Süd – Ludwigslust, Ludwigslust – Parchim, Wittenberge – Perleberg – Osterburg, and Kyritz – Neustadt/Dosse, will also see signal box and control system replacements affecting regional traffic and stations.
To maintain connectivity during the full closure, long-distance services between Hamburg and Berlin will be diverted, with routes via Lübeck for trains to/from Rostock and Stralsund. Regional traffic will be largely replaced by over 170 replacement buses, with real-time travel information provided via digital platforms like DB Navigator and regional transit apps.
The Wittenberge–Perleberg–Osterburg line serving parts of North Sachsen-Anhalt and the Altmark region is included in the affected branches undergoing signaling upgrades and modernization, impacting regional traffic and station infrastructure there.
This project is part of Deutsche Bahn’s broader “Generalsanierung” (comprehensive renovation) strategy to concentrate extensive track, signaling, and station renewal in continuous blocks to reduce overall long-term disruption, aiming for improved capacity and reliability on this critical north-south corridor.
In summary, the renovation includes full track replacement over three mainline sections, signal and station modernization affecting over two dozen locations, upgraded junctions for better freight traffic flow, and substantial regional branch line upgrades, including in North Sachsen-Anhalt's Altmark region, with total closure and extensive traffic diversion from August 2025 to April 2026.
- The community living adjacent to the Mölln – Büchen – Lauenburg (Elbe), Hagenow Stadt – Hagenow Land – Schwerin Süd – Ludwigslust, Ludwigslust – Parchim, Wittenberge – Perleberg – Osterburg, and Kyritz – Neustadt/Dosse branch lines might need to consider adjustments in their transport arrangements due to the upcoming vocational training programs, as these lines will be affected by the renovation and will have signal box and control system replacements.
- In conjunction with Deutsche Bahn’s "Generalsanierung" strategy, the renovation project along the Berlin-Hamburg railway line is expected to bring significant improvements to the overall financial health of the industry by enhancing the corridor's capacity and reliability, enabling smoother transportation of goods and passengers during and beyond the project's completion.
