Germany’s major rail renovation project begins with Riedbahn closure

On Monday, Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail operator, initiated a significant overhaul of a crucial rail corridor, closing the heavily trafficked "Riedbahn" section between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim for five months, Azernews reports citing Xinhua.

The Riedbahn route is vital for Germany’s long-distance rail network, with approximately one in seven rail connections relying on it, according to DB. The closure will cause most ICE and IC express trains to be rerouted, resulting in an additional 30 minutes of travel time between the two cities.

This extensive renovation marks a major effort to address years of underfunding and deterioration in Germany's rail infrastructure. By the end of 2030, the overhaul aims to revitalize 40 of the country’s busiest rail routes, with the German government committing €40 billion to the project by 2027.

Germany’s rail system has long struggled with delays, which were notably evident during the recently concluded UEFA Euro 2024, hosted by the country. The disruptions caused frustration among fans and even led the Dutch team to switch to a plane for their semi-final match in Dortmund due to significant rail delays.