Hamburg-Lübeck Railway Overhaul Delayed Until 2028
Postponement of rehabilitation in Hamburg and Lübeck
The much-anticipated renovation of the railway line between Hamburg and Lübeck has been postponed until 2028. This decision is part of a broader revision of Germany's rail renovation schedule, aimed at optimising construction staging and resource allocation across the network.
The delay in the Lübeck–Hamburg line upgrade is linked to adjustments in the comprehensive overhaul plan known as the "Generalsanierung." This plan covers around 4,000 kilometers of heavily used lines and aims to consolidate major track, signalling, and station upgrades into focused periods to minimise long-term disruptions.
Originally expected earlier, the upgrade has now been rescheduled to start from 2028 onwards, after other key corridors receive attention in 2026 and 2027. The postponement reflects negotiations between DB InfraGO AG, rail operators, industry stakeholders, and federal states, balancing available industry capacities and rerouting feasibility.
With the renovation, concentrated renovation works covering track renewal, signalling system updates, and station modernizations will be consolidated into a specific block in 2028. This is expected to reduce piecemeal construction disruptions. Temporary capacity restrictions on the route are anticipated for 2029 when the construction impacts will occur, with operators to be formally notified shortly.
The delay in the Hamburg-Lübeck railway overhaul is strategically planned to optimise construction staging and resource allocation across Germany’s rail network renovation projects. However, the German Railway has not yet officially confirmed the postponement, referring to a branch dialogue that started on Wednesday.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for July 9, at which a consolidated proposal for the temporal extension until 2035 will be created. The expansion of the alternative railway connection between Lübeck and Schwerin, including electrification, additional overtaking tracks, and a direct connection at Bad Kleinen, is expected to be completed by then. This will provide an alternative powerful route.
The rerouting of freight traffic via Büchen has been criticised due to potential delays and logistical constraints. The final decision regarding the start of the renovation is unlikely to be made before 2028.
Financial institutions and general news outlets are closely monitoring the strategic delay of the Hamburg-Lübeck railway overhaul until 2028, particularly its impact on transportation sectors within the industry. The delay, which allows for optimised construction staging and resource allocation across Germany's rail network, is further influenced by negotiations with rail operators, industry stakeholders, and federal states. This postponement may have significant implications for freight traffic routes, as an alternative connection between Lübeck and Schwerin is set to be completed by 2035.
