It's going green: the shell of the Bitterfeld station building is complete

New reception building made of recycled aluminum with amber hue · Green roof with solar panels and carbon-neutral district heating · Wi-Fi and lockers for greater passenger comfort · Easier access to the station by bicycle, bus, and car.

Since the laying of the foundation stone last fall, Deutsche Bahn (DB) has completed the shell of the new station building. Starting in May, the facade of the building will be closed and the roof sealed. Extensive interior work will begin in early summer. By the end of the year, one of the most sustainable station buildings in Germany will be ready for use. The German government, Deutsche Bahn and the state of Saxony-Anhalt are investing a total of 15.7 million euros in the construction of the new station. The city of Bitterfeld-Wolfen and the state of Saxony-Anhalt are investing an additional €7 million in the design of the area surrounding the station.

Martin Walden, Group Representative for DB in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia:
"We've shown that we're not messing around here: After six months of construction, the outlines of the new station building are already clearly visible. The new station will be a real benefit for people and the environment. Our passengers can look forward to a bright, modern and accessible station.

Sven Haller, State Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt:
"It's great to see a state-of-the-art, climate-neutral station being built here. Bitterfeld already has excellent ICE, S-Bahn and bus connections, which are a real advantage for the location. The new station building and the upgraded station area will take this into greater account in the future and have a lasting effect on the cityscape. The money from the structural change is very well invested here.

Armin Schenk, Mayor of the City of Bitterfeld-Wolfen:
"With the new construction of the station by Deutsche Bahn AG and the redesign of the station area by the city, the rail hub and gateway to Bitterfeld will be significantly upgraded. This is an important step for the future, because we need state-of-the-art mobility services to attract companies and skilled workers to the region.
The city of Bitterfeld-Wolfen is redesigning the area around the train station and the square in front of it: the renovated central bus station (ZOB) and parking facilities for cars and more than 100 bicycles will make it easier for travelers to switch to the climate-friendly train.

What the new station building has to offer

The new building offers space for a travel center, a bakery with indoor and outdoor café, a newsagent and rooms for the federal police, the Bahnhofsmission and local transport companies. There will also be free Wi-Fi, lockers, public and accessible restrooms, and cash and ticket machines. A parcel pickup station will allow customers to pick up parcels outside business hours.

The new building will be a real climate star: a photovoltaic system on the roof will cover the electricity needs of the new building. Skylights and glass fronts with bird-safe glass provide a bright and friendly interior, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The building will be heated with climate-neutral district heating. The roof will be planted with low-maintenance native plants. This not only provides a habitat for insects and other animals, but also improves air quality and stores rainwater. The green roof also acts as an insulator, protecting the building below from heat in the summer and cold in the winter, saving energy costs.

The facade of the new building has a golden-bronze-copper color scheme inspired by the amber of Bitterfeld and is made of recycled aluminum. This saves DB 95 percent of the CO₂ emissions that would be generated by the production of virgin aluminum. Local companies are involved in the project.

With its "Starke Schiene" corporate strategy, Deutsche Bahn is turning its stations into hubs of modern mobility in order to convince more people of the benefits of climate-friendly rail travel. On average, 7,000 people visit Bitterfeld station every day. The S-Bahn connects Bitterfeld with Leipzig, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Halle (Saale) and Magdeburg. ICE trains travel via Erfurt to Munich and Frankfurt am Main, and via Berlin to Hamburg and the Baltic Sea.