Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) has urged the Deutsche Bahn to significantly reduce the burdens on travelers following the start of the refurbishment of the line connecting Berlin and Lehrte near Hannover. Bilger, speaking to the “Rheinische Post” (Wednesday edition), stated that whenever a project of this magnitude is undertaken, the aim must be to keep the strain on people and businesses as minimal as possible.
Travelers and the economy rightly expect that construction sites should operate effectively and that alternative routes should be reliable. The Minister reported that initial accounts from rail passengers, since the start of the corridor renovation, showed inadequate conditions, which he deemed unacceptable in the long run.
Bilger, who previously served as Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport under Andreas Scheuer (CSU), added that the current situation underscores the necessity of fundamentally developing the current corridor renovation strategy. He pledged to submit a concept in due course that ensures future renovations are far better prepared and executed.
This vital east-west connection has been completely closed for approximately 14 months, running from last week until December 2027. The necessary diversions have consequently lengthened the journey between Berlin and Hannover by 80 minutes, bringing the total travel time to around 180 minutes. Furthermore, the Lehrte branch line running parallel to the high-speed route was not electrified on schedule. Passengers have reported chaotic circumstances over the weekend.
