Deutsche Bahn (DB) has awarded the final construction contracts for the general refurbishment of the Hamburg–Berlin railway line, confirming the start of extensive works from 1 August 2025. The contracts cover the final section between Hamburg-Rothenburgsort and Büchen.
The winning bidders, selected through a Europe-wide tender process, include Rhomberg Sersa Rail Holding GmbH, Eurovia GmbH, Axians GA Netztechnik GmbH, Knapp Engineering GmbH, CRS grüntechnik GmbH, SPL Powerlines Germany GmbH, SPITZKE SE, and a joint venture comprising Schweerbau GmbH & Co. KG, Joseph Hubert GmbH & Co. KG, and Wiebe Holding GmbH & Co. KG. DB InfraGO, the infrastructure division of Deutsche Bahn, will oversee coordination across the various trades.
The nine-month refurbishment is scheduled for completion by 30 April 2026.
“We are drawing on experience from the Riedbahn pilot project. The revised tendering approach has fostered more competition and secured better offers. With planning already complete, the project is on schedule and within budget,” Dr Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO, said.
DB has also revised plans for installing the European Train Control System (ETCS) on the Hamburg–Berlin line. Learning from the Riedbahn project, DB has opted to prepare the signal boxes and axle counting systems for ETCS during the refurbishment. Existing train protection systems (PZB and LZB) will remain operational for now, with full ETCS installation expected in the early 2030s, once fleet conversion is feasible—avoiding the cost and complexity of dual systems.
Key works along the Hamburg-Rothenburgsort to Büchen section include renewal of tracks, switches and sleepers, and upgrades to signalling and control systems. New interlockings will be built at Aumühle, Schwarzenbek and Büchen. Stations at Hamburg-Bergedorf, Schwarzenbek, Müssen and Büchen will be modernised and made accessible. Platform extensions in Müssen and Schwarzenbek—commissioned and funded by the state of Schleswig-Holstein—will accommodate longer regional trains from 2027.
Long-distance trains between Hamburg and Berlin will continue running during the works but will be rerouted via Uelzen and Stendal, extending journey times by 45 minutes. Some services to Rostock and Stralsund will be diverted via Lübeck. Regional train capacity between Hamburg, Lübeck and Bad Kleinen will be significantly increased.
To support local travel, more than 170 buses will replace suspended regional services at peak times, covering up to 86,000 kilometres daily. Revised timetables are now available on bahn.de and the DB Navigator app.
This general refurbishment of the Hamburg–Berlin line is part of the DB’s broader S3 infrastructure renewal strategy. As Germany’s busiest direct city route, the line will see over 180 km of tracks and 200 switches replaced during the works. Six new crossover points will enhance operational flexibility, enabling faster trains to overtake slower freight services. DB will also upgrade 28 stations along the route, with many being redesigned as “stations of the future” featuring improved layouts, additional seating and waiting areas, and enhanced bicycle parking.
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