Deutsche Bahn (DB) confirmed on 30 September 2026 that intensive track-renewal work between Berlin’s Südkreuz junction and Hannover Messe-Laatzen will begin this Friday, diverting all long-distance services via Magdeburg and Braunschweig. The project, part of DB’s €45-billion ‘Corenetz 2030’ upgrade, will replace 220 kilometres of rails, 120 switches and ageing catenary along one of Germany’s busiest east-west corridors. During the first construction phase (30 September 2026 – 15 December 2027) ICE passengers face journey-time extensions of roughly 80 minutes. Key business links between Berlin and the Rhine-Ruhr region are also affected, as the diverted ICE-Sprinter trains will miss tight connections in Hannover. Regional services RE1 and RE60 will be curtailed or replaced by buses on several sections, adding further complexity for commuters. DB says capacity on alternative lines is limited; travellers are advised to reserve seats early and allow generous transfer buffers. Corporate mobility managers should update travel-policy guidance to reflect potential overnight stays and consider shifting time-critical trips to air routes or, where feasible, virtual meetings. DB has published a dedicated construction timetable and will automatically recognise tickets on rerouted trains without surcharge. From a macro perspective, the works highlight Germany’s pivot from ad-hoc repairs to full-corridor modernisation—good news for long-term reliability but a headache for short-term mobility planning. Parallel mega-projects on the Riedbahn and the Rhine Valley line mean that 2027 is shaping up to be another challenging year for domestic business travel.
Source: Deutschlandfunk
