Riedbahn completed after five months of construction
Published: Saturday, Dec 14th 2024, 19:00
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After five months of construction, the general refurbishment of the Riedbahn line between Frankfurt and Mannheim has officially been completed. ICE trains from Switzerland also use this section.
"The reliability of the Riedbahn will also make the entire rail system safer again," said German Transport Minister Volker Wissing (non-party) 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 ICE trains from Switzerland and Stuttgart to Cologne, Hamburg and Berlin - and in the opposite direction.
Trains roll earlier
The line is due to be reopened shortly after midnight on Sunday in time for the timetable change. Train cancellations on parts of the route that were initially planned until January are now to be lifted on Christmas Eve.
"The rail renovation concept is working. We are now on the way to a punctual and reliable railroad," said Wissing. The railroads must once again live up to their standards of punctuality and high capacities. Sustainable infrastructure financing at a very high level is needed. "We need an infrastructure fund."
"Aorta" of the rail network
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.
Wissing and Lutz paid tribute to the gigantic construction work, which was completed on schedule. "You have done a great job," said Wissing, addressing all those involved. They had worked around the clock in the heat, cold and constant rain.
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. Commuters and travelers were transported by bus in a replacement service.
The general refurbishment has cost 1.3 billion euros so far. Following the example of the Riedbahn, dozens of other busy routes will have to be extensively modernized in the coming years, which in turn will entail months of full closures.
©Keystone/SDA
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