Expansion of Northern Railroad: Speed Limit Debate - 160km/h or 80km/h?
In a bid to enhance regional mobility, climate protection, and economic development, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg are exploring options to expand cross-border rail traffic. Two feasible expansion options have been identified, with the focus on the northwest of Brandenburg and the southwest of Mecklenburg.
The first option, costing €248 million, proposes a speed of 80 kilometers per hour. If implemented, this variant would improve connections to major hubs like Berlin, Rostock, and Hamburg. Mecklenburg-Vorpomberg would bear higher costs in this option, amounting to €161 million, compared to Brandenburg's €87 million.
The second option, twice as fast at 160 kilometers per hour, is more expensive at €653 million. This variant, according to the study's author, would allow for a continuous Regional Express from Berlin to Rostock, with approximately double the passenger kilometers compared to the 80 km/h variant. However, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern would bear even higher costs in this option, amounting to €394 million.
The study recommends the 80 km/h option as the preferred variant. Both states' transport ministers, Wolfgang Blank (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) and Detlef Tabbert (Brandenburg), support this option due to its economical nature.
However, a mixed variant is also possible, which will be discussed at the joint cabinet meeting of both federal states in September. The ministers emphasize the importance of connecting the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
A possible timeline envisions a "step-by-step realization and commissioning" of the expanded routes from January 2034 to December 2037. However, the exact implementation and commissioning timeline for the 80 km/h option between Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg remains to be determined.
For precise information on this matter, it would be beneficial to consult official communications from the Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mbH or the Brandenburg transport authority, review recent transportation development plans or press releases specifically addressing cross-border rail upgrades, or contact local government or transport ministry officials responsible for rail infrastructure projects in both states.
The search results do indicate ongoing regional transport enhancements in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, such as increased seat capacity on cross-border trains to Poland on the RB23 line and network coordination with bus services for improved regional mobility. These efforts imply broader transport development efforts but do not specify speed upgrades or their scheduling.
Up to 75 percent of the construction costs could be taken over by the federal government, but investments and operating costs will require support from the federal government for the project to be successful.
[1] Increased seat capacity on cross-border trains to Poland on the RB23 line: [Link to source] [2] Network coordination with bus services for improved regional mobility: [Link to source]
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