Germany puts important train line into operation after renovation
Published: Saturday, Dec 14th 2024, 17:40
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After five months of construction, the general refurbishment of an important Deutsche Bahn line has been completed. The Riedbahn line between Frankfurt and Mannheim was symbolically reopened on Saturday.
"The reliability of the Riedbahn will also make the entire rail system safer again," said German Transport Minister Volker Wissing at the opening ceremony in Gernsheim in southern Hesse. He was referring to the unpunctuality of many trains in recent years.
Delays on the Riedbahn often have an impact on the nationwide rail network. This is because around 360 trains travel along this section every day, including the ICE trains from Switzerland and Stuttgart to Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin - and in the opposite direction.
111 kilometers of track renewed
Just in time for the timetable change, the line is to be opened a little earlier than planned on Saturday evening. Train cancellations on parts of the route that were initially planned until January will now also be lifted on Christmas Eve. From Sunday, 95 percent of long-distance and regional customers will be able to use the Riedbahn trains again.
Railroad boss Richard Lutz described the Riedbahn as one of the most important routes and the "aorta" of the German rail network. During the construction work, around 20,000 long-distance trains would have covered over 1.5 million kilometers on detour routes.
The general refurbishment has cost 1.3 billion euros so far. The construction companies have renewed a total of 111 kilometers of track, 152 points, 619 signals, 15 kilometers of noise barriers, 130 kilometers of overhead lines, 383 catenary masts and eight platforms. In addition, 20 stations along the line were renovated.
©Keystone/SDA
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