Overview

• The Hamburg–Hannover corridor operates at 147 percent capacity, making it one of Germany’s most overloaded and delay-prone routes.
• Deutsche Bahn has settled on a dual approach for 2029 that pairs a comprehensive overhaul of the existing line with a new two-track route via Bergen in Landkreis Celle.
• After assessing 29 route variants and weighing four against nearly 200 technical, environmental and regional criteria, the Bergen alignment emerged as the preferred option.
• Local and regional officials in Lower Saxony, including Harburg’s Landrat Rainer Rempe, have condemned the plans as violating prior agreements and disregarding community concerns.
• The project is set for detailed consultations this autumn, with Deutsche Bahn aiming to secure Bundestag funding for the planning approval process in early 2026.