Unusually persistent winter weather in northern and eastern Germany has disrupted progress on the overhaul of the Hamburg–Berlin railway corridor. DB InfraGO has confirmed that the line will not reopen on 30 April as originally planned.
According to the infrastructure manager, low temperatures and frozen ground have prevented key works since the end of December. Cable ducts remain iced over, making it impossible to install signalling and interlocking cables as scheduled. In some sections, ground frost extends to depths of up to 70 centimetres, halting civil works and equipment installation.
Overhead line works, the installation of point motors and signalling systems have also been suspended for weeks due to weather conditions. The situation has directly affected the timetable for completing critical control and safety systems along the corridor.
"We are dealing with the strongest winter onset in this region for more than 15 years," said Gerd-Dietrich Bolte, Member of the Management Board for Infrastructure Planning and Projects at DB InfraGO. "We had built buffers for the cold season into our schedule, but the prolonged frost and snow are lasting significantly longer than expected. The fact is that we are currently behind schedule in installing control and signalling technology. It is bitter news, but it is important for us to communicate this transparently."
Once ground conditions allow, postponed works will need to be rescheduled. DB InfraGO plans to increase staffing levels on site as soon as temperatures permit construction activities to resume at full pace. Together with its construction partners, the company will present a revised commissioning concept by 13 March.
The updated plan must also consider interactions with extensive renovation works on the Hamburg–Hannover corridor scheduled to begin on 1 May. Any shift in the Hamburg–Berlin reopening timeline will require adjustments to diversion concepts for both passenger and freight traffic between Germany’s two largest metropolitan areas.
The Hamburg–Berlin line is one of the country’s most important high-capacity corridors, serving long-distance passenger services and key freight flows between northern ports and inland markets. The delay therefore has operational implications extending beyond the immediate construction site.
