Rail transport
Wissing: New railway renovation concept works
It is a first for the railway: a general renovation with complete closure of a main line. The section between Frankfurt and Mannheim is now completed on schedule.
After five months of construction, the general renovation of the important Riedbahn railway line between Frankfurt and Mannheim has officially been completed. “The railway renovation concept is working. This means we are on the way to a punctual and reliable railway,” said Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (independent) in Gernsheim, southern Hesse, at the opening celebrations. Just in time for the timetable change, the route is scheduled to open a little earlier than planned on Saturday evening.
“Many have questioned the concept of general renovation,” said railway boss Richard Lutz. “We made it.”
The general renovation has so far cost 1.3 billion euros. Following the example of the Riedbahn, dozens of other busy routes will have to be comprehensively modernized in the coming years, including full closures for months.
The construction companies have renewed a total of 111 kilometers of tracks, 152 switches, 619 signals, 15 kilometers of noise barriers, 130 kilometers of overhead lines, 383 overhead line masts and eight platforms. In addition, 20 train stations along the route were renovated. Commuters and travelers were transported by buses in a replacement service.
dpa
Source: Stern
