Greens demand quick action against railway closure in Cologne-Bonn!

Greens demand quick action against railway closure in Cologne-Bonn!

To the delight of travelers in Cologne and the surrounding area, Deutsche Bahn has some news to announce from the planning of the high-performance network corridor (HLN corridor). However, important questions remain unanswered, as the exact start date of construction work on the route from Hürth via Bonn to Koblenz is still unclear. The agreed schedule with the Federal Ministry of Transport should be presented to the other railway companies by the end of August, report WDR Nachrichten.

An open-hearted letter from Green MPs now clearly shows what concerns passengers and residents: Politicians are calling for a thorough examination of all alternatives to the planned long railway closures. In particular, they would like an evaluation to possibly combine several construction projects in order to minimize the impact on rail traffic.

Renovations and timetable changes

The plans for the renovation of four important railway bridges in Cologne have already been finalized and are scheduled for the period from July 2028 to the end of 2029. This renovation work will particularly affect the connection between Cologne Central Station and Cologne South Station, which means that no trains will run on this section for a full 17 months. The connections on the left bank of the Rhine to Bonn and the Eifel routes are particularly affected, which could significantly restrict mobility in the region.

The upcoming measures are part of a broader plan to modernize the railway line. The HLN corridor, an essential traffic axis between the Cologne metropolitan region and southern Germany, is also to be upgraded through the implementation of the European train control system ETCS. This system, for which Digitale Schiene Deutschland is responsible, enables improved monitoring of trains and is intended to increase the punctuality and reliability of the entire rail network.

Technical modernization on the route

An exciting detail: The route section covers around 37 kilometers, starting in Hürth/Kalscheuren and ending at the Bonn Neuer Weg depot. The modernization entails a comprehensive renewal of the signal box infrastructure, with the retrofitting of existing signal boxes and the installation of new switches. In addition, communication along the route will be optimized by modernizing the GSM-R system, which is essential for the reliable transmission of important information to the trains.

If everything goes according to plan, the new system and the interlocking technology should be put into operation in 2028. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen what the results of the upcoming coordination meetings in the Federal Ministry of Transport will be and whether the Greens' concerns will be heard.

The development remains exciting and the wait for detailed information is a constant companion for commuters in the region. One thing is certain: the modernization of the railway promises future-oriented transport connections, but the implementation does not come without challenges and, above all, longer closure times. The hope remains that smart decisions will be made and the timetable will be announced in good time so that rail users are as well informed as possible.