Extensive construction work Track work will lead to rail chaos around Bonn

Deutsche Bahn will be expanding its rail network around Cologne at the beginning of 2018. The result: expect train cancellations and timetable changes on various lines in Bonn and the region.

Train travelers on both sides of the Rhine will need some patience and strong nerves in the first half of 2018 as construction takes place around the Cologne railway junction. Representatives from the Deutsche Bahn (German Rail - DB), and the Zweckverband Nahverkehr Rheinland (Rhineland Regional Transport Association - NVR) explained on Tuesday in Cologne that the timetables between Bonn and Cologne, and between Troisdorf and Unkel will be altered substantially. This is due to work on the route between Brühl and Sechtem as well as the expansion of the S 13 between Troisdorf and Bonn.

"Every construction project has an impact on traffic," said DB spokeswoman Kirsten Verbeek. While it will not come to any train services being blocked outright, passengers should study the timetables closely in the coming months. According to NVR managing director Norbert Reinkober, departure times could change weekly.

Renewal of overhead lines between Brühl and Sechtem

A total of 103 masts and 7.2 kilometers of overhead lines will be renewed on the 3.7 kilometer stretch between the railway stations in Brühl and Sechtem. According to DB project manager Florian Bonn, the overhead lines date back to 1959.

The actual work begins on January but Bonn said preparatory work had already begun without an impact on traffic. In May, there had also been some preliminary work and that caused quite some chaos for rail traffic between Bonn and Cologne. With regard to that experience, DB has considered what could be done better this time around.

Specifically, there will be partial closures on the tracks over four periods: January 3 to 15, February 3 to 17 (except carnival days), February 24 to March 10 and March 17 to 26. On the weekends (until early Monday mornings) of February 24/25, March 3/4 and 17/18, there will be complete closures of that track between Brühl and Sechtem. During single-track line closures, the RE 5 will run at different times. In the direction of Koblenz, it will also stop in Roisdorf and Sechtem. The RB 26 will also see alterations. A connection is required at Remagen, with the route between Remagen and Mainz running on schedule. The RB 48 between Cologne and Mehlem will not run. However, on weekdays there will be an additional train from Bonn (6:15 am) to Cologne.

Long distance traffic will be diverted partly over Cologne Messe / Deutz or Beuel. During the total closures, buses will replace the route between Roisdorf and Brühl. Travelers are advised to inform themselves early on.

Expansion of the S 13 between Troisdorf and Bonn

Twelve years of construction are planned for the expansion project that has already begun. According to DB project leader Jens Sülwold, some work will be carried out in the coming year - such as the renewal of overpasses, underpasses and overhead lines. It is the first year that there will be some closures along the route, which is part of the main freight corridor between Rotterdam and Genoa.

Closures will run from January 21 to 27, February 18 - 24, March 10 - 17, April 9 to June 9, August 25 - 27 and November 3 - 5. During weekdays, only a single track will be in use, but on almost all weekends during those periods, the tracks will be closed completely. During the single-track operations, the RE 8 between Troisdorf and Beuel will not run, and the RB 27 runs with different travel times.

DB reports it is investing 9.7 million euros in the work being completed between Brühl and Sechtem. Work on the S 13 is expected to cost twelve million euros in the first half of 2018. Two more areas are marked for track renewal: the stretch between Cologne-Longerich and Cologne-Nippes, which should have no impact on local traffic according to DB, and the stretch between Cologne-Mühlheim and Düsseldorf beginning April 9. This will affect many local and long-distance connections.

The renewal of the overhead lines on the left side of the Rhine continues. According to Florian Bonn, further sections of the open track should follow in 2020: "And at some point we want to get to the train stations."

(Orig. text: Christoph Meurer / Translation: ck)

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