DB confirms record €12.2bn rail infrastructure investment in 2020

German Rail (DB) is set to invest €12.2bn in railway infrastructure in 2020, a €1.5bn increase compared with 2019, as the new 10-year LuFV III government funding agreement takes hold.

Rail infrastructure encompassing track, points, signalling systems, bridges and stations will receive €5.4bn with DB planning to renew 1800km of track and more than 1,900 points as well as modernise 160 bridges during the year.

Around €1.6bn of these funds will support improving facilities at more than 800 stations, including the main stations in Hannover and Dortmund, and Zoological Garden in Berlin. Among the improvements are upgrades to passenger information and improving accessibility as well as general renewal work including new escalators, elevators, ramps, floors, and benches. The railway will also allocate €341m to improve station structures and reception areas

New construction projects will receive €2.2bn. In 2020, 46 large-scale construction projects are underway across Germany with 18 ground-breaking ceremonies pending including ETCS expansion on the Rhine-Alpine corridor and new stations at Rostock-Bramow and Wünsdorf. 11 projects will be completed during the year, including the MegaHub freight handling system in Lehrte and the Munich – Lindau electrification project.

Source: railjournal.com