- Railways are actively working towards promptly re-opening the railway track.
The upgraded overhaul of the frequently utilized Frankfurt-Mannheim route is progressing as planned, according to German Railways. "We've ticked off every objective we had set for ourselves in the past six weeks," stated Infrastructure Board Member Berthold Huber while touring the construction site in Walldorf, southern Hesse. Various aspects of the route have undergone refurbishment; for instance, the rails have been replaced on 37 kilometers, which is approximately half the total length. The Riedbahn squad is leaving no stone unturned to meet the December deadline.
The renewed route will reopen in mid-December, following a six-month shutdown from mid-July. This heavily-trafficked stretch often experienced disruptions. During the six-month shutdown, a trial project is modernizing the rails, switches, stations, and control systems. A total of 40 well-drilled sections are being revamped in this manner. The Hamburg-Berlin route will undergo restoration next year.
The projected expenses for the Riedbahn revamp are currently estimated at 1.3 billion euros. Huber remains optimistic about the federal government's financial contribution. It is more cost-effective to build everything at once rather than setting up temporary construction sites repeatedly.
More intricate tasks loom ahead
Expectations of improved punctuality in local traffic will surface as soon as the route reopens. The upgrades will also benefit long-distance traffic.
Huber emphasizes that the more demanding tasks still lie ahead. Hence, there should be no premature celebration, but rather sustained and dedicated effort. The construction is expected to conclude in October, allowing sufficient time to test the control systems.
Simultaneous construction is underway in various locations. At the Walldorf station, a track has been demolished to accommodate the construction of a barrier-free ramp as per project leader Julian Fassing's account. New noise protection wall posts are visible. The overheard lines have been dismantled, and heavy construction machinery are operational, generating a racket. Among them is a colossal tamping machine that solidifies the ballast between the new tracks. Concurrent works like these would not be possible without a complete shutdown, Fassing noted.
"Major concern" for the rail network
Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing (FDP) visited the construction site's progress. He stated that the high-performance corridor renovation strategy is working well. He viewed it as a "favorable development" that boosted his confidence. Now, it is crucial to ensure that the work is completed by the deadline. The Riedbahn is one of the foremost challenges in the German rail network, as it is outdated yet crucial to national transportation. Every fifth train uses it.
Passenger and freight traffic are being rerouted through parallel routes, which is functioning smoothly as per the railways. The disruptions impact not only Hesse and Baden-Württemberg but also Rhineland-Palatinate, thus affecting three federal states altogether.
The festive season is fast approaching
As a stand-in for regional traffic during the six-month shutdown, a fleet of 150 buses is in operation. The passenger feedback after 30,000 replacement trips has been consistently commendable, said DB's Regional Transport Board Member Evelyn Palla. Among other things, the replacement transport has proven to be more reliable than the erstwhile dilapidated train service.
The replacement service has been well-received in the initial weeks, Palla confirmed. Out of the 400 drivers recruited across Europe, the turnover rate has been low. Currently, the average bus occupancy stands at 30 percent. She remains optimistic that the increased demand during the summer holidays can also be handled elegantly.
The upcoming improvements in punctuality for local traffic can be attributed to the refurbishments, making ['Other'] routes more efficient. Despite the progress, there are still ['Other'] tasks that require dedicated effort to complete before the projected conclusion in October.
Recognizing the importance of the Frankfurt-Mannheim route for national transportation, Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing expressed concern about ensuring that ['Other'] challenges, such as the December deadline, are met without delay.
