Successful blueprint: Riedbahn back in operation after general refurbishment
The start of the general refurbishment of the German rail network has been a success. The Riedbahn was reopened after five months of construction.
To mark the reopening of the Riedbahn after the general refurbishment, Deutsche Bahn put on quite a show.
(Image: Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang)
It has long been popular wisdom to say that it is better to completely close freeways or railroad lines for a while instead of renovating them while traffic continues to flow. However, when Deutsche Bahn opted for a five-month full closure instead of years of permanent roadworks on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim in July 2024, there were also many skeptical voices. After all, a construction project of this size is complex – and the gears have to mesh properly. But it seems to have worked.
With the timetable change on December 15, the line was reopened for train services as planned. Regular service on the S-Bahn and regional lines was even possible earlier than originally planned, Deutsche Bahn announced in a press release. Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz and Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (non-party) symbolically reopened the line at a closing ceremony on Saturday.
Passengers praised the transport concept
The 70-kilometer line, which is considered one of the main arteries of German rail traffic, was completely renovated during the five-month construction period. 111 kilometers of track and 152 points were renewed, 383 overhead line masts and 130 kilometers of contact wire were replaced and new noise barriers were built over a length of 16 kilometers. In addition, 619 new signals were installed and 20 stations modernized. The European train control system ECTS was put into operation on a section of track between Mannheim and Biblis – and is due to be used on other sections in the second quarter of 2025.
According to Hessischer Rundfunk, the start on the new route was not without delays – but everything should be back on track by Sunday lunchtime, according to Deutsche Bahn. Over the past five months, two thirds of the long-distance and freight traffic that normally runs on the Riedbahn line was diverted. Regional passengers had to switch to buses. According to surveys, this worked well, the rail company announced.
Videos by heise
Next major project starts in 2025
Success with the general refurbishment was also important for Deutsche Bahn because the new concept is seen as a blueprint for other urgently needed track refurbishments. Deutsche Bahn plans to renovate 41 busy routes by 2030. The next major project is imminent with the route from Hamburg to Berlin.
(mki)
