DB Netz AG Expands Hamburg/Bremen-Hannover Railway Line by 2030
DB Netz AG is set to expand the Hamburg/Bremen-Hannover railway line, with preliminary planning handled by DB Infrago AG. The project, which includes electrification and modernization, aims to boost rail traffic by 2030.
The expansion, dubbed Amerikalinie, will see the electrification of the Langwedel-Uelzen line and the creation of additional passing options. Maximum speed will increase to 100 km/h. Noise protection measures will be implemented to mitigate disruption to local communities.
Modernization of level crossings is a key aspect of the project. All along the Langwedel - Soltau - Uelzen route, level crossings will be retained, except for a small one in Soltau. The latest technology, including digital signal boxes and ETCS Level 2, will be employed to improve safety and efficiency. Despite this, train speeds will not exceed 160 km/h, making barrier-free crossings unnecessary.
The project is driven by the desire to enhance quality of life along railway lines. In Munster, for instance, waiting times at level crossings can already be lengthy, with a quarter of an hour considered short. The expansion aims to alleviate such issues and attract more passengers and freight to the rails.
The Amerikalinie expansion, with its focus on electrification, modernization, and noise protection, is set to transform the Hamburg/Bremen-Hannover railway line. By 2030, it aims to significantly increase passenger and freight traffic on the rails, making rail travel more efficient and attractive.
