Deutsche Bahn has begun renovation work on the rail corridor connecting Hannover and Berlin, and the line has been shut since Friday morning, according to Spiegel. The closure affects one of Germany's busiest east-west routes.
NDR.de reports that travelers should expect changes to their journeys while the work is carried out. DIE ZEIT also reports that the state-owned operator has started construction between the two cities.
The disruption extends beyond the Hannover–Berlin line itself. T-Online describes what it calls rail chaos in eastern Germany, reporting that train traffic was temporarily suspended. Separately, Volksstimme reports that Magdeburg's Neustadt station was cleared by police during a hazardous-materials operation involving fire service ABC specialists. The material provided does not indicate whether that incident is connected to the rail works.
The reports give no details on the scope of the construction, how long the line will remain closed, or what replacement services are being offered. No figures on affected passengers or trains were included in the material available.
Travelers planning trips on the route should check with Deutsche Bahn before setting out, since the reports indicate services are not running normally. Further updates on the duration of the closure and any alternative arrangements are expected as the work proceeds.
