Deutsche Bahn wants to completely renovate its most important routes by 2030 so that its trains will run more punctually in the future. In 2027, the Munich-Salzburg route will be a major construction site for ten months.
Munich – Deutsche Bahn wants to get away from small construction sites where tracks are being renovated while traffic is running and where there is a constant jamming. Instead, the block is now being renovated – and the route is completely closed during this time. Among the 40 routes that the railways have identified as “high-speed routes” in need of rehabilitation in Bavaria is the railway line from Nuremberg to Passau, as well as the Munich-Salzburg line. This is to be renewed in 2027.
Refurbishment planned in two steps
The route, which is used by meridian trains between Munich and Salzburg or Kufstein and long-distance trains to and from Vienna and Italy, is to be completely renovated in two sections. This was reported by Wolfgang Weinhold, program manager for the general refurbishment of the high-performance network, on Monday evening to ProBahn representatives during an online presentation. The Federal Ministry of Transport has yet to approve the plan.
According to this, the Munich Ostbahnhof-Rosenheim route will be renovated for five months in the first half of the year. In the second half of the year, the Rosenheim-Freilassing route is on. The railway wants to replace sleepers, ballast, rails, switches, signals and the overhead line. Signal boxes and train stations are also being renovated. Platform heights are adjusted, elevators are retrofitted. In addition, the route is to be retrofitted with the new ETCS train control system.
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Railway line should become faster and more reliable
This allows trains to run at shorter intervals and increases the capacity of the line. Overtaking tracks are also planned in Prien and Kirchseeon. The current speed limit routes should then be a thing of the past. In addition, points that were previously replaced by an identical model are being replaced by modern versions. Some tracks could also be laid better than before, so that slightly higher speeds would also be possible, says Weinhold.
For commuters and tourists, the general renovation means a mega test of patience. The railway wants to rent 120 buses, which will move from major construction site to major construction site over the years. 350 to 450 drivers are needed for this. The frequency of the rail replacement service should be higher than that of the trains. After completion of the measure, the trains should run punctually again – and if possible no construction sites should disturb operations for ten years.
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