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 |  Press release from Deutsche Bahn

Advantage for the region: the railway line between Halle and Kassel will be made more reliable

[Translate to Englisch:] (v.l.n.r.)Martin Walden, Dr. Lydia Hüskens und Berthold Huber©Deutsche Bahn AG / Dominic Dupont

Modern interlocking technology and overtaking lanes for XXL freight trains • Increased efficiency for passengers and the rail industry • Eisleben railway station to be made barrier-free • Investment of €625 million • Construction work to be completed by 2027 


Deutsche Bahn (DB) is modernising the busy Halle (Saale) - Kassel line between Halle and Eichenberg (Hesse). As part of its "Strong Rail" strategy, around €625 million is being invested in new electronic signal boxes and the barrier-free extension of Lutherstadt Eisleben station. DB is also renewing the Saale bridges west of Halle and extending the overtaking tracks for XXL freight trains.

This will make the Kassel line more efficient overall, as passenger and freight trains will be able to run more flexibly and reliably on the route in central Germany. Construction will be completed by the end of 2027. The line will be used as a diversionary route during the subsequent general upgrades in the region. Berthold Huber, Member of DB's Management Board responsible for Infrastructure, and Dr Lydia Hüskens, Minister for Transport and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, announced the start of work today in Halle.

"We are modernising our existing network and making progress step by step. We are modernising an important east-west axis in our infrastructure between Halle and Kassel. This will significantly improve the quality of service for our passengers on this route," stated Berthold Huber, DB Board Member for Infrastructure. "Investment in the region is crucial, because growth on the railways only works if the basis is efficient. With modern interlocking technology, we will in future be able to control train traffic by computer".

"Only with an attractive offer can the railway play its trump card as a real alternative to road transport. The fact that the busy Halle-Kassel line in particular is now being modernised in such a complex way is a good, right and important signal. The greater Halle area is thus continuing to make a name for itself as an efficient and modern rail transport hub," said Dr Lydia Hüskens, Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs in Saxony-Anhalt.

Susanna Karawanskij, Thuringian Minister for Infrastructure and Agriculture: "The planned construction work on the busy Halle-Kassel line is also an important signal for rail transport in northern Thuringia. Making the existing rail infrastructure more efficient and robust will not only benefit passenger transport, but also freight transport. DB's investments are therefore a good investment in the urgently needed modernisation of our rail network.

33 old, mostly mechanical interlockings will be replaced by 14 electronic interlockings, including in Sangerhausen, Berga-Kelbra, Riestedt, Blankenheim, Lutherstadt Eisleben, Röblingen am See and Teutschenthal. In future, services will be operated from Röblingen am See in Saxony-Anhalt and Nordhausen in Thuringia. In addition, the control and safety technology along the entire route will be renewed and DB will renew the technical safety systems at 34 level crossings. This will also make the line more reliable.

Lutherstadt Eisleben station will be made barrier-free, including new platforms, so that passengers can board and alight without steps. A new pedestrian underpass and new lifts will improve overall accessibility. DB is also replacing the signalling equipment in the station area to increase the maximum speed.

DB is also building longer passing tracks at Röblingen am See and Sangerhausen, as the line between Halle and Kassel is heavily used by freight traffic. The 740 metre long sections will allow slower XXL freight trains to make way for faster passenger trains. During the general refurbishment of the Magdeburg-Weddel and Erfurt-Bebra sections in 2029 and 2030, DB will be able to use the Halle-Eichenberg line as a diversionary route. This will minimise disruption to passengers and freight customers during the expansion of the future high-performance network.

33 old, mostly mechanical interlockings will be replaced by 14 electronic interlockings, including in Sangerhausen, Berga-Kelbra, Riestedt, Blankenheim, Lutherstadt Eisleben, Röblingen am See and Teutschenthal. In future, services will be operated from Röblingen am See in Saxony-Anhalt and Nordhausen in Thuringia. In addition, the control and safety technology along the entire route will be renewed and DB will renew the technical safety systems at 34 level crossings. This will also make the line more reliable.

Lutherstadt Eisleben station will be made barrier-free, including new platforms, so that passengers can board and alight without steps. A new pedestrian underpass and new lifts will improve overall accessibility. DB is also replacing the signalling equipment in the station area to increase the maximum speed.

DB is also building longer passing tracks at Röblingen am See and Sangerhausen, as the line between Halle and Kassel is heavily used by freight traffic. The 740 metre long sections will allow slower XXL freight trains to make way for faster passenger trains. During the general refurbishment of the Magdeburg-Weddel and Erfurt-Bebra sections in 2029 and 2030, DB will be able to use the Halle-Eichenberg line as a diversionary route. This will minimise disruption to passengers and freight customers during the expansion of the future high-performance network.

Preparatory work has already begun in Röblingen and Riestedt, for example, and the real work will begin in 2025. In autumn 2025, work will start on the Sangerhausen - Angersdorf section, which is why no trains will run on this part of the line during this time. DB will provide information on further timetable changes in good time.