Railway plans to renovate and build an additional route between Hamburg and Hanover from 2029

Hamburg/Hanover. Deutsche Bahn is planning a major overhaul of the heavily congested line between Hamburg and Hanover in 2029 and a new line via Bergen (Celle district). The railway announced that 29 options were examined, both along existing lines and new routes. Four of these were evaluated based on nearly 200 criteria.

"The new line from Hanover to Hamburg via Bergen meets the criteria for the Deutschland-Takt (Germany Timetable) and the goal of creating more space on the tracks for more local, long-distance, and freight trains," Deutsche Bahn explained. The Bundestag has the final say.

If Deutsche Bahn has its way, the company will build a new railway line between Hanover and Hamburg – along the B3 and A7 motorways. What does this preferred option mean for the existing route? And what does it mean for the citizens' initiatives in Lower Saxony that reject this solution? An overview of key questions and answers.

A mere expansion of the existing route has proven to be significantly under-dimensioned. Furthermore, the so-called preferred option through the heath offers additional potential for new local transport stops, such as in the Heidekreis district.

According to Deutsche Bahn, the Hanover-Hamburg route is one of the most congested routes in Germany, with a capacity utilization rate of 147 percent and frequent delays. The federal government also forecasts increasing train numbers on this route, both in passenger and freight traffic.

RND/dpa