DB to renew thousands of tracks, switches, and stations in 2024
DB InfraGO is launching a comprehensive infrastructure program in 2024. The focus is on the existing network and stations: this year, DB will expand, modernise, and renew over 2,000 kilometres of tracks, 2,000 switches, 150 bridges, and 1,000 stations.
With this program under the corporate strategy Strong Rail, the existing infrastructure will become more efficient and robust, creating more capacity in the rail network. Dr Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO, stated in a press release that “For the first time in many years, we will halt the ageing of the railway infrastructure in 2024.” The goal of all these measures is to ensure high availability of infrastructure and stable operations.
Additionally, the first major overhaul of a highly utilised corridor will commence on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt/Main and Mannheim in July, with 39 more major overhauls to follow in the coming years. Investments by DB, the federal government, and states in rail infrastructure alone total around 16.4 billion euros in 2024.
Through expansion, renewal, and electrification of routes, DB InfraGO is creating new capacities to gradually implement the Deutschland Takt. In the first quarter alone, the second track of the Weddeler Schleife between Braunschweig and Wolfsburg was put into operation. The groundbreaking ceremony for the four-track expansion of the Hanau-Gelnhausen line was recently held. Dr. Nagl concludes by stating: “We will be measured against these goals. We will fulfil our promise by the end of the year: the Riedbahn will be completely renovated, and we will have modernised thousands of our facilities.”
Investment based on the central action areas of DB InfraGO
The heavily used network will be fundamentally renovated by DB by 2030, consolidated into 40 high-performance corridors. The first major overhaul will begin on July 15, 2024, on the Riedbahn between Frankfurt/Main and Mannheim. The regional network also benefits from the preparations. DB InfraGO AG is renewing diversion routes for corridor renovations in advance to ensure robust train traffic. In February and March, the construction teams carried out numerous necessary maintenance works on switches, tracks, technology, and overhead lines on the Alsenz and Ludwigsbahn lines as well as on the Main-Neckar-Bahn line. Further routes nationwide are already in the planning stage.
Modernization and construction measures are underway at around 1,000 stations and stop in 2024, including at major stations such as Duisburg, Dresden, Hannover, Ulm, and Munich. DB is also investing in numerous smaller and medium-sized stations, including barrier-free access, weather protection, and passenger information. By the end of 2030, 355 small and medium-sized measures will improve the quality in the existing network. Projects include infrastructure measures such as additional crossovers, additional signals and switchgear, or new platforms. For example, DB is expanding and renewing signal and switchgear technology around Aschaffenburg to enable crossover operations. By the end of 2025, approximately 40 per cent of these measures will already be implemented.
For digital rail operations, DB is building additional modern signal boxes. The first Digital Signal Box on a main line in Donauwörth successfully started operation in March and will be officially opened this summer. DB InfraGO is also addressing service facilities, where every train journey begins and ends. By 2030, 145 locations will be modernised and expanded. In Recklinghausen Ost, for example, relocating a signal creates space for 740-metre-long freight trains.
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