Hamburg and Lower Saxony: Construction work hinders rail traffic

If you want to travel by train to the North Sea or Baltic Sea, you usually have to go via Hamburg. But the connection across the Elbe becomes a bottleneck during the vacations. The Left Party sees failings in transport policy.

, and Lauren Adams

2024 June 27 . 5:48 PM

2 min read

A regional train stands on a track at Harburg station in the Harburg district.

Railroad - Hamburg and Lower Saxony: Construction work hinders rail traffic

Due to short-term construction works between Hamburg Bahnhof and Harburg, there will be significant disruptions to train traffic over the Elbe River starting from mid-July. From July 15 to August 12, preferred passenger trains will be able to cross over the Norderelbbrucke during the daytime from 5.00 am to 9.00 pm, while night-time freight trains will be able to do so. Passenger trains can only cross the bridge between 9.00 pm and 5.00 am in exceptional cases. Therefore, detours and cancellations of connections are necessary. The S-Bahn traffic is not affected.

According to the information provided, two switches need to be renewed in Hamburg-Veddel. A track change is planned between the main station and the Norderelbe branch line. In addition, bridge works are taking place over the Zollkanal (Müggenburger Durchfahrt). Complicating matters is the fact that the construction works on the Norderelbbrucke could not be completed as planned in April. The construction period is being extended by another year until June 2025, it was stated. Due to the works, trains cannot meet on the Elbbrucke.

The transport expert of the Left faction in the Hamburg Senate, Heike Sudmann, stated on Wednesday: "Once again, the long-term cost-cutting measures for railway maintenance are being felt." Passengers will now be able to travel only restricted or not at all over the Elbe for weeks. Sudmann announced a parliamentary question to the Senate for more information on the construction works.

A spokesperson for the DB confirmed that the construction works are planned and promised further information. In Hamburg, the summer holidays begin on July 18, three days after the start of the disruptions. In Lower Saxony, schools have been on holiday since the previous weekend.

DB InfraGO Statement from the Left

Rail traffic over the Elbe River in Hamburg will experience significant disruptions due to construction works between Hamburg Bahnhof and Harburg from mid-July, affecting Germany Railways.
Hamburg's S-Bahn traffic, however, remains unaffected during this period.
The Left faction in the Hamburg Senate, led by transport expert Heike Sudmann, criticized the construction works as a result of long-term cost-cutting measures for railway maintenance.
Sudmann announced a parliamentary question to the Senate for more information on the construction works, expressing concern over the impact on train traffic and passengers.
The construction works, including the renewal of two switches in Hamburg-Veddel and bridge works over the Zollkanal, are scheduled to extend until June 2025, disrupting rail traffic from the Baltic Sea to Harburg in Lower Saxony.