Significant Construction Work at Berlin Hauptbahnhof: Long-Term Disruptions and Easter Closures
Beginning in mid-February, travelers using Berlin Hauptbahnhof should prepare for substantial disruptions due to ongoing construction work. The railway company has announced that from February 17 until April 22, only four out of the eight tracks on the lower level will be operational. This situation will require passengers to anticipate significant changes to their travel plans.
During two extended weekends, all tracks in the lower level will be entirely closed. Specifically, the complete shutdown will occur from March 21 to 24 and again from April 18 to 22, coinciding with the Easter holiday. During these periods, long-distance trains that typically stop at the Hauptbahnhof and Südkreuz will be redirected to other railway stations in Berlin.
Despite the disruptions, the S-Bahn and the upper levels of the station will continue to function normally, ensuring that Berlin remains well-connected to its long-distance rail services. The railway company advises travelers to check their connection status online prior to embarking on their journeys, as some arrival and departure times will be altered.
Regional train services will also be affected throughout the construction period. Several lines, including RE 3, RE 5, RB 14, and RB 23, will experience rerouting or will not be able to stop at their usual stations. For instance, the hourly RB 14 service will run from Berlin-Spandau via Jungfernheide and Gesundbrunnen to Lichtenberg, offering a seamless transfer to the Flughafen-Express (FEX) to Berlin Airport (BER). Meanwhile, the FEX will maintain a half-hourly service between Lichtenberg and the airport, with an additional stop in Schöneweide.
During peak hours, some RE 3 services will be suspended between Berlin-Gesundbrunnen and Berlin-Südkreuz, while the RE 5 service will terminate at Gesundbrunnen instead of continuing south. The RB 23 line will now operate every two hours through central Berlin, connecting Potsdam-Griebnitzsee to the airport, while maintaining a consistent service from Golm to Potsdam-Griebnitzsee. The RB 21 line will also see some train cancellations and altered schedules.
The ongoing construction is primarily aimed at installing six additional switches and two new signals to enhance the flexibility of the tunnel platforms. This upgrade is expected to improve the operational efficiency of the Hauptbahnhof, addressing the increased train traffic and passenger volume since the station's original construction in 2006, which was expedited to be ready for the FIFA World Cup.
Officials from the railway company anticipate that these enhancements will result in improved reliability and punctuality for services on the north-south corridor. The new signaling system will allow for shorter trains to be accommodated more easily and will facilitate the division of longer trains, such as double-ICEs, at the same platform.
