Gearing Up for the Enhancement of the Bad Kleinen - Lübeck Rail Line
Expansion of the Railway Line from Bad Kleinen to Lübeck Initiated - Commencement of the Railway Extension from Bad Kleinen to Lübeck
Let's cut the crap and get to the point - work's back on the Deutsche Einheit Number one project, focusing on modernizing and electrifying the approximately 60-kilometer rail line between Bad Kleinen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Lübeck in Schleswig-Holstein. Originally, the whole damn route from Lübeck through Rostock to Stralsund was slated for a continuous double-track upgrade and a maximum speed of 160 km/h. But the goddamn federal government ditched the need for that, and the project was dropped from the requirements plan.
But don't worry, gouvernmental official, Wolfgang Blank (independant) from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Economy Ministry, said at the groundbreaking ceremony that the improved connection between Lübeck and Schwerin is a massive win. "Today's construction start is a significant milestone for a key rail project in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The new connection brings reduced travel times for local transport and boosts our state's role in European freight transport," Blank said, confident as hell. The electrification is also a crucial step toward a climate-friendly and high-performance rail system.
improvements for passengers and freight
As part of the track upgrade, a connecting curve is being built near Gallentin, close to Bad Kleinen. This badass new curve will mean that, in the future, you can ride the train from Lübeck to Schwerin without having to turn back or change trains in Bad Kleinen, like you have to now. The work is set to wrap up by 2028. "This will further grow the Hamburg metropolitan region - at the same time, new, demand-oriented transport connections are being created in Northwest Mecklenburg and Schwerin," Blank explained.
In addition to shorter travel times and a more stable timetable in local transport, the project also strengthens freight traffic. The new route will alleviate the crunch on the Hamburg rail hub and create additional capacities on the East Corridor towards southern Germany and Eastern Europe, the minister announced. But construction will mostly cease during the general renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin line from August 2025 to April 2026 to allow train diversions from Hamburg via Lübeck, Bad Kleinen, and Rostock to Berlin.
Connection to the future Fehmarn Belt Crossing
West Mecklenburg is set to connect to the planned fixed Fehmarn Belt Crossing via this route in the distant future. The crossing over the approximately 20-kilometer-wide strait will consist of a double-track electrified railway line and a four-lane road connection, according to the Federal Ministry of Transport. It's planned to link Puttgarden on the island of Fehmarn in Germany with Rødby on the island of Lolland in Denmark via a tunnel. It's currently scheduled to open in 2029. The construction kickoff was on January 1, 2021.
The Chamber of Commerce in Schwerin welcomed the groundbreaking and has been pushing hard for this infrastructure project for years. "This project will enhance connections for commuters and improve the conditions for freight traffic. The upgrade will strengthen the region as a location in national and international rail transport. Now it's crucial to maintain the momentum and stay focused on the necessary next steps," IHK President Matthias Belke explained.
Perspectively, the route should be continuously upgraded to double track to also be considered for long-distance connections. "We expect a clear commitment from DB long-distance for the long-term strengthening of the Berlin-Schwerin connection. The federal government, the state, and the state capital itself are called upon to pave the political way for this. ICE trains between Copenhagen, Lübeck, Schwerin, and Berlin should not remain a vision," emphasized Belke.
- Lübeck
- Bad Kleinen
- Schwerin
- Westmecklenburg
- Rail line
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Berlin
- Rostock
- Hamburg
- Freight traffic
- Upgrade
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Stralsund
- Fehmarnbelt crossing
- The rail line enhancement between Bad Kleinen and Lübeck could have potential implications for the region's employment policy, as it may attract industries that rely on efficient freight transportation, specifically in sectors like finance and transportation.
- The Schwerin Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the significance of the Lübeck-Bad Kleinen-Schwerin rail line project, has highlighted the importance of continuing efforts to double-track the route and securing long-distance connections for services like the ICE train, potentially opening up employment opportunities in the community policy sector for position related to rail system maintenance and management.
