Germany’s “Investment Act for Coal Regions” earmarks billions of euros for rail projects, yet progress remains limited. According to Greens MP Paula Piechotta, only one of the 29 planned rail works is finished: the Bitterfeld railway station. The other projects are still stuck in early planning stages, including two large-scale upgrades for the Aachen‑Cologne and Berlin‑Cottbus‑Görlitz routes. The Aachen‑Cologne line has a budget of €948 million, while the Berlin‑Cottbus‑Görlitz project carries an estimate of about €1.64 billion. Neither of these major projects yet has a scheduled completion date.
The dual‑track extension between Lübbenau and Cottbus does have a target: “expected in 2027”. However, the Deutsche Bahn’s timetable specifies December 2027. Piechotta has called on a prioritisation of these rail initiatives, arguing that every day of delay drives costs higher, meaning the money allocated for promised rail improvements is ultimately swallowed by rising construction prices.
